Almost 11 million students in China appear for university exams as COVID-19 cases reduce

The exam is believed to be the first mass gathering event since the virus outbreak and administrators are enforcing strict rules to prevent infections.

Published: 07th July 2020 09:28 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th July 2020 10:29 AM   |  A+A A-

Visitors wearing face masks to protect against the new coronavirus walk through the Forbidden City in Beijing, Friday, May 1, 2020. The Forbidden City reopened beginning on Friday, China's May Day holiday, to limited visitors after being closed to the public for more than three months during the coronavirus outbreak.

The grueling two-day university entrance exam can be a key determinant of a student's future and was pushed back weeks from its scheduled date. (Photo | AP)

By Associated Press

BEIJING: Almost 11 million students began taking China's university entrance exam Tuesday after a delay as the country worked to bring down coronavirus infections.

The grueling two-day university entrance exam can be a key determinant of a student's future and was pushed back weeks from its scheduled date.

The exam is believed to be the first mass gathering event since the virus outbreak and administrators are enforcing strict rules to prevent infections, including proof of wellness, social distancing and the wearing of masks.

China on Tuesday reported eight new virus cases, all of them brought from outside the country, the National Health Council reported.

China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths among 83,565 cases of COVID-19 since the virus that causes the disease was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year.