URUMQI, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region gradually reopened universities and colleges starting from Wednesday as the novel coronavirus outbreak wanes in the country, local authorities said.

The first batch of 25 universities and colleges are scheduled to reopen between Wednesday and Sunday, while other schools are expected to announce reopening dates later, according to the regional department of education.

Despite the epidemic's waning across the region, health risks management is still high on schools' agenda and local authorities will continue to implement anti-virus measures to ensure the safety of the students.

On Wednesday, Xinjiang Medical University prepared masks and disinfectants in classrooms, dormitories and public facilities. Temperature measuring equipment has been installed at the entrances of teaching and dormitory buildings as well as canteens.

Qeyser Abdukerem, president of the university, said the university has disinfected all venues in its three campuses to ensure the safety of the first batch of more than 6,900 returned students. In addition, it has provided anti-virus training for teachers, dorm supervisors, sanitation workers and security guards.

In late March, Xinjiang reopened all primary and high schools, the first provincial-level region in the country to do so amid the coronavirus outbreak.