Nagaland govt decides to reopen primary schools

KOHIMA: Following reports of improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the state, the Nagaland government has decided to allow schools to reopen for classes 1-5, senior minister Neiba Kronu said on Friday.

 

According to the minister, the administration has also authorised the immediate reopening of theatres, galleries, gyms, cinema halls, sports facilities, and other public places.

 

During the meeting on Thursday, the High Powered Committee on COVID-19, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, approved the reopening of primary schools for students in Classes 1 to 5, according to HPC Spokesperson and Planning and Coordination Minister Neiba Kronu.

 

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The School Education Department, in consultation with the Health and Family Welfare Department, will issue a notification along with a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) within the next 10 days, according to Kronu, who is also the minister for land revenue and parliamentary affairs. Since February 8, students in grades 6 and up have been attending classes.

 

Since the lockdown was enforced in March of last year, all schools in the state have been closed.

Since the COVID-19 situation in Nagaland has improved and restrictions are being relaxed further, the HPC agreed to resume classroom teaching for primary students and reopen public places.

 

As of Thursday, there were ten active coronavirus cases, with a recovery rate of 97.92 percent. The state's overall caseload is 12,217, with 91 people succumbing to the virus, including 10 with comorbidities.

 

According to Kronu, the HPC has also agreed to allow 100% attendance in government offices, which was previously limited to 50% due to the pandemic.

 

Commercial vehicles have now been allowed to accommodate full loads of passengers and return to regular fares, he said.

 

The HPC also repealed the law requiring people entering the state from other parts of the country to be quarantined. Those with signs of coronavirus infection, on the other hand, will need to see a doctor for a check-up and screening, as well as follow medical guidelines.

 

To prevent the virus from spreading further, the minister demanded that everyone obey COVID-19 protocols.