South Korea is closing schools and switching back to remote learning in the greater capital area as the country counted its 12th straight day of triple-digit daily increases in coronavirus cases. South Korea's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 280 new patients, pushing the 12-day total to 3,175. Yoo said most children at kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools will receive online classes at least until September 11. Keeping schools shut are a difficult political decision int a country where teenagers are thrown into hyper-competitive school environments because graduating from elite universities is seen as crucial to career prospects. The country since Sunday has banned larger gatherings, shut down nightspots and churches and removed fans from professional sports nationwide.

Source: The Standard August 25, 2020 04:41 UTC