Punjab CM orders opening of schools, subject to conditions, details inside
Schools for Classes 10, 11, and 12 in Punjab are all set to open from July 26, with Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announcing further relaxations from coronavirus restrictions, including an increase in the number of people in indoor gatherings to 150 and outdoors to 300, subject to an upper limit of 50 percent of the capacity.
Taking note of the decline in coronavirus positivity to 0.3 percent, with Reproduction number (Rt) at 0.75 for Punjab (lower than the national average), Captain Amarinder Singh said schools will be allowed to open for classes 10 to 12, but only those teachers and staff shall be allowed to be physically present who are fully vaccinated.
Also Read | No proposal to bring Petrol, Diesel under GST yet: Centre informs Lok Sabha
The physical presence of the students shall be purely at the consent of the parents and the option of virtual classes shall be continued. An undertaking to this effect shall be submitted to the Deputy Commissioners concerned, he directed.
Also Read | Farmers show black flags to Navjot Singh Sidhu on his arrival in Khatkar Kalan village
If the situation remains under control, the remaining classes shall similarly be allowed to open from August 2, 2021, the Chief Minister announced, pointing out that the Cambridge University has predicted that the cases shall further decline in the coming weeks.
With respect to social gatherings, the Chief Minister said artists/ musicians shall be allowed at such functions/ celebrations in all areas, with adherence to due Covid protocols.
The relaxations came days after the Chief Minister had ordered the opening of bars, cinema halls, restaurants, spas, swimming pools, coaching centres, sports complexes, gyms, malls, museums, zoos, etc. at 50 % with vaccine compliance.
He had also earlier allowed colleges, coaching centres, and all other institutions of higher learning to open with similar compliance.
-PTC News
