South Korea students sit school examination behind plastic barriers and in hospitals because of COVID-19
03 December, 2020
Nearly half of a million South Korean students nervously commenced a hyper-competitive university entry test on Thursday (Dec 3), with COVID-19 students taking the test in hospital and others separated by transparent barriers.
South Korea is battling a good third wave of coronavirus infections, forcing authorities to have strict steps to make sure all students could safely take the test, deemed a good life-defining event for high school seniors to win a good degree that could help land an improved job found in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
Police and university officials guarded about 31,000 check venues across the country, which in normal years are usually filled up with praying parents and cheering squads distributing hot drinks and snacks.
"It's my second check, and I just wanted to get it done regardless of the risks of contracting the coronavirus. That's all I was considering coming right here," Jeon Young-jin, 19, told Reuters before a test venue in Seoul.
Parents place candles throughout a special service to wish for their children's success found in the college access exams at the Jogyesa Buddhist temple found in Seoul, South Korea, Dec 3, 2020. (Photo: AP/Ahn Young-joon)
About 35 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 sat for the test at designated hospitals, while special venues were provided to greatly help another 404 who are in self isolation.
Proctors for the confirmed and suspected conditions were necessary to wear protective equipment and collect exam papers in plastic carriers and wipe them before handing over to the staff outside.
At a high institution in central Seoul, students prearranged for temperature checks and disinfection before getting into the venue, and transparent barriers were installed at all desks, according to video recording released by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
A student wearing a nose and mouth mask prays before the start of annual college entrance exam amid the coronavirus pandemic at an exam hall in Seoul, South Korea, Dec 3, 2020. (Photo: AP/Kim Hong-ji)
Won Seon-hun, father of a high university senior, said he previously not even had meals with his son in the last week though he minimised outdoors activity because of coronavirus concerns.
"My wife bought all of the groceries online, and I never went aside from work - no good friends' gatherings, just staying house," Won said after mailing off his son.
The test is a major event in South Korea, with businesses and the currency markets opening later than usual to lessen traffic for test-takers, while flights from airports are suspended for a brief period throughout a language listening test.
The annual test came as South Korea grapples with a resurgence of coronavirus outbreaks, with the amount of daily cases hovering around 500 over the past couple of weeks, an even not seen since March.
The federal government has tightened social distancing curbs, and declared a two-week special anti-virus period prior to the exam.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Organization (KDCA) reported 540 new cases on Wednesday, including 516 domestic infections and 24 imported.
The country's total tally rose to 35,703, with 529 deaths.
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