Restrictions on schools, Metro trains likely to stay

NEWDELHI: Barring a last-minute change of mind, the Narendra Modi government is unlikely to allow the reopening of schools in t he next phase of easing of restrictions that is expected next week, according to top officials involved in the discussions related to this.

The officials, who asked not to be named, added that metro rail services were unlikely to start soon while gymnasiums and swimming pools might remain out of bounds, as part of the measures to check the spread of the Covid-19.

After a 68-day hard lockdown ended on May 31, the government has announced two phases it termed Unlock 1.0 and Unlock 2.0, in June and July respectively. Each phase has allowed more activities across domains, in an effort to revive economic activity, and return to a semblance of normalcy.

Most activities have been allowed outside so-called containment zones where there are still clusters of infections. States have been allowed the freedom to impose restrictions again if they feel the need to. India continues to see the number of Covid-19 cases rise. It added 48,458 cases on Saturday to take its total case tally to 1,383,959. The HRD ministry on Monday began consultation with states and other stakeholders on reopening of schools which have been closed since March due to the pandemic. In the meeting chaired by the Secretary, School Education, Anita Karwal, state education secretaries also deliberated upon health and safety of students, hygiene measures in schools and issues regarding online and digital education.