SHANGHAI — All schools in Shanghai are required to postpone the opening of the 2020 spring semester until the end of February to guarantee students' health and safety, according to a press conference on Feb 5.

The opening date will be confirmed later in accordance with the development of the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, according to the local information office.

Schools will keep in touch with their students and provide learning materials and study suggestions, as well as psychological counseling.

The Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and educational authorities in each district will guide schools in preparations for the start of the semester and for online courses.

On Jan 23, Shanghai's training and nursery institutions suspended offline services until the end of February.

The Ministry of Education in late January announced the postponement of the 2020 spring semester for schools amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.