Schools, universities reopen in Pakistan after 5-month COVID hiatus

Pakistan reopened its high schools, colleges and universities on Tuesday (September 15) after a break of over five months, in view of the falling number of fresh COVID-19 cases. Officials said Classes 6-8 would start from September 23 and primary from September 30.

As per the health protocols, not more than 20 students can be seated in a classroom. The students have been divided into groups and will attend schools on alternate days. Masks are mandatory for teachers and students. The institutions will ensure availability of hand-washing facilities and sanitizers at the entry gates.

All educational institutions in Pakistan were closed on March 16 after the outbreak of the coronavirus and all annual examinations were cancelled.

The number of coronavirus cases reached 3,02,424 on Tuesday after 404 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. Six patients died in this period, taking the death toll to 6,389, according to the Ministry of National Health Services. So far, 290,261 people have fully recovered from the disease, while 563 are in critical condition.

Sindh has reported 1,32,250 cases, Punjab 97,817, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 37,079, Islamabad 15,962, Balochistan 13,621, Gilgit-Baltistan 3,269 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 2,426. The authorities said 29,95,890 COVID-19 tests have conducted in the country, including 27,277 in the last 24 hours.

(With inputs from agencies)

Related video: Indian govt guidelines on how classes should resume for 9-12 students