Schools in Pune district closed until January 30, classes to be continued online

Schools in the Pune district to remain closed until January 30 for Classes 1 to 8. However, online teaching will continue for these classes.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced that the schools in the Pune district will remain closed till January 30 for Classes 1 to 8 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. The Minister made the announcement after attending the COVID-19 review meeting. He is also the guardian minister of the district. The Minister further announced that though the schools are closed the online teaching will continue for these classes.

“After prolonged discussions with officials of PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation), PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation), and the district administration, we have decided to shut the schools for physical classes for Standard 1 to Standard 8,” said Pawar. “State Health Minister Rajesh Tope has consulted with ICMR Director General Balram Bhargav who advised us to go ahead with the move in case positivity rate crosses 10 per cent. In Pune, the positivity percentage is about 18 per cent now,” he added.

Pune district comprises Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area and Pune rural. He also advised people to use three-ply or N95 masks, instead of cotton ones. He further stated that directives have been given to local authorities to fine people found wandering without masks. On Tuesday, Pune city recorded 1,104 new positive cases.

Earlier, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had announced that schools in Mumbai will remain shut for Class 1 to 9 and Class 11 students, while Class 10 and 12 students, who will be appearing for board examinations in March 2022, will be allowed on the campuses.

Read More:

• Karnataka government announces closure of schools in Bengaluru, extends night curfew for two weeks

• COVID-19 Impact: Bihar schools closed until January 21, night curfew imposed

• Schools in Uttar Pradesh closed until January 14 amid COVID surge, night curfew extended by two hours