Updates: The Latest in Beijing Family News

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[Last Updated: 1/14 9.54am] Check back daily for the latest updates on school and education-related information inlight of Covid-19. As always, please check with your school directly for the most updated information.

(1/14 9.54am) BIBA extends online and blended learning until CNY holiday

In a letter to parents on Jan 12 and confirmed by the school, Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) announced that they’ve been advised by the Shunyi Education authorities to extend Elementary and Middle school students’ online learning until the Chinese New Year holiday begins. ECC-KG learning arrangements will also continue until the holiday begins.

High school students will continue blended learning until Feb 5. BIBA also encouraged all families to remain in Beijing “to protect their own health and safety as well as those of their own community.” They expect to resume learning on campus on Feb 22 as of now.

(1/12 2.35pm) Didi suspends rides to Shunyi

Didi has temporarily suspended rides to and from Shunyi District.

(1/11 8.19pm) Health code now required in rideshares

Beginning today, Jan 11, all ridesharing apps like Didi Chuxing and Huaxiaozhu will require passengers to scan with the Beijing Health Kit app when boarding the car within Beijing.

The regulation was announced yesterday at the city's 206^th epidemic press conference, which reiterated that all rideshare drivers must wear masks and check their temperature before operating the vehicle and also stipulated that all drivers receive a nucleic acid test. Officials at the conference also reminded city residents that the government is still looking for passengers who rode in the car with the license plate 京P18E77 and asks that anyone who did so should self-report.

As for Shunyi, the latest orders will suspend drivers who reside within the district and will prevent any rideshares from going into the district, with the exception of rides to Capital Airport (which, while surrounded by Shunyi, is technically part of Chaoyang district).

The new rules come following fears that infected people may have ridden in several rideshare cars.

(1/11 8.17pm) Shipping troubles to and from Shunyi

In the absence of an official statement or policy on the situation, it’s difficult to put together a clear picture of the extent of shipping restrictions, but according to Beijing Youth Daily, nearly all major express companies, with the exception of SF Express and EMS, have temporarily shut down a portion of their Shunyi-based shipping nodes. Currently, residents and businesses have been experiencing major delays, or in some cases a downright inability to send or receive express shipping.

(1/10 7.17pm) New restrictions on ride-hailing in Beijing and Shunyi drivers, two new infections

Temporary new rules on taxis and ride-hailing apps were established at today’s press conference: Beginning tomorrow, all users boarding taxis perusing ride-hailing apps such as Didi will need to register with their Beijing Heath Kit mini-app before entering the vehicle.

In addition, all drivers based in Shunyi are temporarily suspended from driving, and service to Shunyi has been suspended with no entry, no exit, and no dispatch (except to and from the airport).

Today’s city press conference on the Covid-19 situation in Beijing offered up additional details of the asymptomatic case reported this morning: turns out he is a driver for a ride-hailing service, a 27-year-old male, resident of Lianzhuang Village, Zhaoquanying Township, Shunyi, and the son of the other case reported this morning. On Jan 8 he drove his father to the Tsinghua Changgung Hospital near Tiantongyuan in Changping where the dad tested positive (w/symptoms), and he tested positive but asymptomatic. Details of the younger man’s movements are tracked in detail in this Beijing Youth Daily article.

(1/9 10.21am) Harrow Beijing extends CNY break

Harrow Beijing (HBJ) sent an email to parents informing them of the recent changes to the Chinese New Year break.

• Lower School and Years 6 – 7 will begin their Chinese New Year break on Jan 15

• Years 8 – 9 students will begin their CNY break on Jan 22

• Upper School students will begin their CNY break on Jan 29

HBJ will resume classes on Mar 1. To make up for the teaching days lost to the latest changes to the CNY holiday, HBJ will be canceling Spring Break scheduled to take place from Apr 2-19 as makeup days.

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(1/6 6.04pm) Travel restrictions in Beijing

The city is stopping sales of bus and train tickets into Beijing from Shijiazhuang and Handan, two Hebei cities that have seen recent outbreaks. Several on-sections of the highway near these areas have been closed to traffic. The combination of epidemic-related traffic control, the approaching CNY holiday, and freezing temperatures may lead to delays in getting courier packages sent into the city.

(1/5 8.03pm) BIBA follows the latest school teaching and learning requirements

As of Monday (Jan 4) schools have received the following requirements:
– ECC & KG teachers will provide online home school communication and home learning materials for children. Divisional leaders will make separate contact with all teachers to outline the teaching and learning plan for each of the grade levels as well as the social and emotional support relevant to their division.

-Grade 1 to Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 11 students will have online classes at home.
-Grades 12 & Grade 9 (Blended learning) – Parents have the option for their child to study on campus for face-to-face classes or parents can choose for their child to study on-line. It is important to note that the Grade 12 students have mock exams next week on campus and should be in attendance for these important assessments in each of their subject areas.
-Any student or staff member accessing the campus must provide valid proof of negative COVID-19 test results within 3 days, a temperature check, a green code on the Beijing Health Kit, and a completed Health Declaration Form.

Beijing International Bilingual School (BIBA) staff are advised to stay in Beijing for the holidays unless it is necessary. Avoid gathering or high/mid-risk areas. Staff and students must wear masks throughout the school day. Canteen staff and cleaning staff must wear disposable gloves. No external visitor is allowed on campus.
Clean and disinfect frequently within the school between use as much as possible. Increase outdoor air ventilation, using caution in highly polluted areas.

 For a full list of updates, click "Read more" at the bottom of this post.

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