Madhya Pradesh government orders opening of schools, hostels with full attendance

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday ordered the opening of schools and hostels across the state with full capacity with immediate effect, in view of the decline in COVID-19 cases, an official said. The school education department's order was issued in compliance with the directives issued by the state home department, the official said.

All schools, residential schools and hostels will be started for Classes 1 to 12 with full attendance with immediate effect, he said. As per the order, COVID-19 appropriate behaviour such as wearing masks and social distancing should be ensured during classes. Earlier on Friday, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had announced the lifting of all COVID-19 curbs, barring the night curfew, considering the drop in infections.

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"Keeping in view the continuous decline in the positivity rate and active cases of COVID-19, all curbs have been eased. All social, commercial, cultural, political, religious, entertainment, sports activities and fairs in the state will be held with full capacity," Chouhan said in a tweet.

Madhya Pradesh had on Friday reported 2,612 new COVID-19 cases and three casualties that raised the tally of infections to 10,21,361 and toll to 10,682.

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Schools were closed in Madhya Pradesh from January 14 to 31 owing to the increasing cases of COVID-19 infections. Schools were later allowed to reopen on February 1 for Classes 1 to 12 with only 50 percent attendance.