Schools in Shanghai will remain closed indefinitely and begin offering online classes from March to ensure the safety of students and teachers during the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, education authorities said at a press conference on Tuesday.

On February 5, Shanghai Education Commission announced that all local schools — including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and colleges — would remain closed until at least the end of February.

Lu Jing, director of the commission, said the latest decision was made based on developments of the outbreak.

He said that primary and secondary schools will begin online teaching on March 2 and students need not physically attend schools. A new date for students to return to school will be announced later.

Lu also pointed out that nursery and training organizations should not provide offline services during the outbreak period.