Austria to reopen schools in phases from early May

Austria's Education Minister Heinz Faßmann announced on Friday the country is gradually going to reopen its schools in May.

Austria was one of many countries around the globe which shut schools to try and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Faßmann said the first students to return on May 4 will be the ones who are about to graduate this year.

In a second wave, primary schools and high schools will reopen – this will allow students between the ages of 6 and 14 to return to school.

Faßmann said the classes will be split in half to allow for studying in shifts while reducing the risk of infection of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

At the same time the ministry will publish a rulebook for school hygiene.

Austria has so far reported 15,002 cases of the virus and 522 deaths, according to a running tally kept by John Hopkins University.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death