On Friday, June 19, the Phuket municipality held a press conference, during which it announced the opening of kindergartens and schools on the island starting from July 1.
Preschools and educational institutions are allowed to reopen, but they must comply with the municipality's requirements for the safety of children and staff.
- Body temperature checks will be conducted at school entrances
- Staff members are required to wear masks at all times
- The number of students in each class should not exceed 25 people (hence the introduction of a six-day school week and the proposal to divide classes into groups attending school every other day)
- Schools are allowed to operate for a full school day, while kindergartens can only operate until 1:30 p.m.
It is worth noting that since March 18, 2020, all schools in Phuket have been closed to students. International schools in Phuket have switched to distance learning. The school year ended in June, and students from private schools went on vacation. However, in Thai schools, the academic year traditionally starts in March. Therefore, the new regulations will primarily affect Thai public schools.
The academic year for students in international private schools on the island will begin in August.