As March 1 is the day spring semester traditionally begins in China, tens of millions of primary and secondary school students have returned to school life on campus.

But even though China has the pandemic situation under control, school life is little bit different in 2021.

In Beijing, students typically need to go through temperature checks on entering school and could be subject to several more rounds afterwards. In Beijing Chen Jinglun High School's Baoli branch, students are also to maintain a distance of one meter apart from each other.

Students and teachers are required to wear masks the whole time on campus, including over their flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

Students say they're used to pandemic control measures. "I'm used to wearing masks now, it's become our second nature," Ni Rui, an eighth grader told CGTN.

"We have been on very high alert since last year, we ask students to wash their hands frequently and watch out for social distancing," Li Jian, a teacher at the school said.

Changes in place for cellphone use, homework 

Many of the Generation Z students are leaving their smartphones behind at home Monday as a national notice that bans cellphone use in classroom comes into effect.

If students do have their devices with them, they have to be turned off and locked up during school hours. The Chinese Ministry of Education has said this is to avoid distractions and protect the students' eyesight.

Student Ni said he's never brought a phone to school and only uses it at home. "I understand the policy is to avoid distraction."

Wang Yuran, another student said, "I limit my own screen time and would never stay up late to play games. It's about rational use."

Li, the teacher, says parents are supportive for the cellphone restriction. "They can contact us in case of emergency."

Except for the cellphone ban in classrooms, China's Ministry of Education also demanded less homework, more physical exercise for students starting the new semester, according to a late February press briefing.

(Cover: Students walk to school to start their spring semester on campus in Haidian District, Beijing, China, March 1, 2021. /Xinhua)