Demand for school reopening to be considered in next 15 days: Maharashtra Health Minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope told the certain quarters are demanding school reopening as children are facing academic loss.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has stated that the authorities would consider the demand for reopening of schools in the state after the next 10-15 days as there is a low incidence of coronavirus infection in children and students are suffering education loss. The state government has already ordered the closure of schools in Maharashtra until February 15 due to rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

The minister further added that the final decision to reopen schools will be taken by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Tope told the certain quarters are demanding school reopening as children are facing academic loss. He further added that the authority will consider the demands after 10-15 days as there is a low (rate of) infection among children. The chief minister will take the final call in this regard.

Expressing concern over the rise in infections, Tope said that the people seem to be not afraid of the coronavirus. "The COVID protocols must be followed strictly. Common people, as well as politicians, should avoid crowding,” he added.

Talking about the novel coronavirus situation in the state, the health minister said that though the cases are surging in Maharashtra, the number of hospitalisations and the need for medical oxygen remain low.

Counting the first anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the state health minister said that taking the jab is voluntary and 10-15 per cent of the eligible people in Maharashtra remain to be vaccinated yet."This is a challenge for the health department to ensure a cent per cent vaccination and we will make it possible," he added.

Read More: