Elementary pupils in Russia return to classrooms amid coronavirus pandemic

New rules for schools in Moscow came into force Monday as country grappled with a spike in new coronavirus cases.

Elementary schoolchildren are still allowed to come to classrooms but students from 6th to 11th gres moved ir studies online until vember 2.

With move, Moscow authorities say y are trying to protect teachers amidst a second wave of pandemic.

director of Moscow school number 1502 Vlimir Chudov told AP that school should continue teaching, despite "difficult circumstances."

Some students seem to be pleased that y are still allowed to come to school.

"This is best place to learn new things," said 4th grer Margaria Stepanenkova.

"You can always speak with someone here and you don't have to ruin your eyesight by staring at a laptop screen," she explained.

"It's a lot more fun in school too," her classmate Pyotr Gorelov ded.

While elementary students have been allowed to return to classrooms after a fall break, Russian secondary and high schoolers have h to just to online learning.

deputy director of school number 1502 and physics teacher Denis Britov told AP that "online classes have become much more familiar ways, both for teachers and (high school) students."

Russia reported almost 16,000 new coronavirus cases on Monday, highest single-day number since beginning of pandemic.

According to Russian government's coronavirus task force, 15,982 confirmed infections brought country's total to over 1.4 million, which is fourth largest in world.

task force has also reported over 24,300 deaths since start of outbreak.

Russian authorities lifted most virus-related restrictions over summer and have said re were immediate plans to impose a second lockdown despite resurgence.