BEIJING -- Secondary schools in China have made full preparation to create a safe and sound environment for third-graders after class resumption, said an official with the Ministry of Education.

Most of the junior and senior high schools that have resumed operations have only allowed the return of third-graders as they are facing admission tests for senior high schools or universities, said Wang Dengfeng, director of the ministry's leading group office on the COVID-19 response, in an interview.

Wang said apart from regular epidemic prevention and control measures, the schools have made careful arrangements for the students' study, exam preparation, as well as psychological counseling if needed.

While local authorities are considering full resumption of schools, priority has been given to third-graders to ensure they can study safely and uninterruptedly, Wang added.