KP decides to re-open all educational institutions

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Task Force on COVID-19 has decided about the re-opening of all public and private schools and colleges from April 19 for in-person classes from grade 9 to 12 in view of the board examinations slated for next month.

However, the educational institutions will strictly follow the standard operating procedures issued by the government for the control and prevention of coronavirus.

The participants of a meeting of the task force, which met Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair, expressed serious concern about the increasing COVID-19 cases in the province and called for strict implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPS) and other precautionary measures against the virus.

The task force reviewed the latest coronavirusrelated situation in the province with a focus on the administrative measures against the spread of the virus. It decided that all markets in the province would close by 6pm except pharmacies, general stores, milk shops, tandoor and filling stations.

The participants also decided that dining in restaurants would be completely banned and only takeaway would be allowed.

They said there would be two safe days in a week i.e. Saturday and Sunday and all markets would remain closed on those days except essential service providers.

The meeting decided about the working of public offices with the atendance of less than 50 per cent of staff and a complete ban on visitors.

It decided about the strict implementation of SOPS during Taraweeh and funeral prayers and urged clerics to play their effective role in it.

It was further decided that face masks would be distributed at all public places, including main markets, utility stores and Ehsas cash points, while their use by people would be ensured.

The forum also discussed the imposition of ban on visits to tourist spots in the province until Eid Al Fitr and decided that the mater would be taken up with the federal government for unanimous decision.

Government will start vaccinating people in the age group 50-59 from next week, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar announced on Saturday.