In light of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, the city's education authority said on Friday that all elementary, middle and high school students will switch to online learning platforms from Saturday while all kindergartens will suspend operations.

The Shanghai municipal education commission said the decision was made to protect the safety and health of students and teachers.

Students can attend classes using the municipal online education platform and download the required study materials, it said. Those facing difficulties studying at home can apply for special arrangements to attend the online courses in school.

The officials leading the city's main epidemic prevention office said on Friday that some of the latest cases were caused by the contaminated environment of imported cases that led to the virus leaking to the public due to loopholes in the management protocol.

Shanghai reported 696 imported cases, 62 of which are asymptomatic, from March 1 to 10. This latest outbreak has also resulted in 396 locally transmitted cases, with 362 of them being asymptomatic, according to municipal health commission.