Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said Wednesday that all educational institutions in seven cities in Punjab will be closed for two weeks from March 15 due to an increase in Covid-19 cases.
Important meeting at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) today to review the health situation and take decisions regarding educational institutions. Participated in by Ministers from all the provinces, AJK and GB. Following decisions arrived at. 1/2
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
"Educational institutions in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujarat, Multan, Rawalpindi and Silakot will be closed from March 15 to March 28 due to spring break," said Shafqat.
2/2 Educational Institutions in Sindh and Baluchistan would continue with 50% attendance every day. In Punjab spring break will start from Monday March 15 to March 28 in the following cities and all education institutions: Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Multan, 3/3
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
The same is true of schools in Islamabad and Peshawar. According to the Education Minister, the situation in Muzaffarabad is currently under review and a decision will be taken accordingly.
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Mahmood announced the decision at a press conference following a meeting of the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC). The Prime Minister's Special Health Advisor, Dr. Faisal Sultan, attended.
He added that the government will review the situation and make further decisions in April so that the schools themselves can assess the situation regarding the cases and make appropriate decisions.
The Education Minister reiterated that classes 9, 10, 11 and 12, previously scheduled for May and June, will take place as scheduled.
All send ups and exams being currently conducted will continue under proper SOPs
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 10, 2021
Indoor gatherings On this occasion, Dr. Sultan said the government had decided to revoke the permit to resume weddings, dinners, cinemas and indoor shrines given the current circumstances.
"The earlier announcement of meetings inside on March 15 will be withdrawn, while instructions for meetings outside remain the same," he added.
The health advisor also appealed to people to adhere to SOPs, including seeing social distance and wearing masks, as cases had risen again.
Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas also tweeted about the decision, which was announced after the NCOC meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) March 10, 2021
Spring Break in all Public & Private Schools of Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Multan, Sialkot will be from March 15th, 2021 to March 28th, 2021. All Public & Private schools in rest of the Districts will follow regular schedule.
On March 8, the NCOC decided to reconsider the modalities for reopening schools in the predominant upward trend of Covid-19 across the country.
Earlier in February, as new cases of coronavirus in Pakistan were on the wane, the federal government decided to abolish the deadline for commercial activities and theme parks and the requirement for a public / private office to adopt a 50 home policy.
Covid-19 first appeared in the country in February last year and peaked in mid-June. However, it started to decline in the following months, but rose again in October 2020, prompting the government to warn of another wave.
Earlier that month, the NCOC unveiled a comprehensive plan for the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine nationwide. The vaccination plan has been drawn up by the association in consultation with all provinces and interest groups.
