On January 30, the MOE held a special meeting to study and implement guidelines emanating from a meeting of the Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee on Novel Coronavirus Prevention and Control (CPCLG) held the previous day. Vice minister of education Zhong Denghua chaired the meeting.

To fully implement instructions of President Xi Jinping and guidelines issued at the latest CPCLG meeting, the MOE pledged to add to its efforts on two fronts: first to prevent the spread of the virus to schools, kindergartens, international student communities, and units directly under the remit of the MOE by drafting detailed precautionary plans; second to demand schools, kindergartens and MOE units to put necessary safeguards and policies in place.

At the meeting, specific instructions were also issued for higher education institutions, including postponing the start of the new semester, providing students remaining on campuses with psychological support and daily health monitoring, reinforcing temperature checks at the entrance to campuses and buildings, and disinfecting high-traffic areas on campus.

Members of the MOE Leading Group on Novel Coronavirus Prevention and Control also attended the meeting.