CHINESE SCHOOLS ADOPT FLEXIBLE VIRUS CURBS
WUHAN (Global Times) — Chinese universities have adopted more flexible COVID-19 precaution management, to balance virus prevention and students’ daily need for travel ahead of the upcoming National Day holidays, after tough measures in some colleges sparked controversy.
Xi’an International Studies University (XISU) made headlines on Sunday after videos emerged featuring students yelling from their rooms at midnight, asking the school to “lift the lockdown” and “solve the problems” caused by the university’s strict closed-off campus rules.
A junior XISU student who asked to be anonymous told the Global Times on Monday the strict lockdown had led to higher prices for commodities, because there are few shops; and difficulties in taking a shower.
Students vented their anger, as shown in the videos. The topic of closed-off management at XISU triggered heated discussion on Chinese Twitter-like Sina Weibo, with over 420 million reads as of press time.
XISU said on Monday that it will simplify the procedures for students to go out, but it will also ask students not to leave the city if not necessary. It said it will extend service hours for meals and showers, manage express delivery issues, and crack down on price hikes.
The junior student confirmed to the Global Times that students can exit and enter the campus freely now with their student ID cards and “green health code.”
Since universities in China re-opened in early September, debates have gone on about precautions, including closed-off management rules. The discussions resumed ahead of the eight-day national holiday on October 1, after some schools forbade students to leave during the holiday.