Chinese youngsters in the global virus epicentre of Wuhan have returned to class, wearing masks and walking in single file past thermal scanners, AFP reported.

Teenagers sat at individual desks spaced a metre apart, seeing their teachers in the flesh after months of distance learning. Only the province's oldest students were present — seniors who are due to take the make-or-break university entrance exams.

Officials in Wuhan say students and staff must all have had virus tests before going back to school, and campuses have been disinfected and cleaned.

In preparation for reopening, some schools spaced out their desks and organised smaller class sizes, according to local media.

Thermal scanners greeted everyone walking through school gates, and anyone with a high temperature was not allowed in.