COVID-19 fear: Schools won't reopen in Maharashtra from August 17

The COVID-19 task force members decided not to restart all schools from August 17 in Maharashtra. However, the schools in rural areas, where there is no threat from coronavirus will continue to function. 

New Delhi: Amid threat of a possible third COVID-19 wave, the Maharashtra government has deferred the reopening of schools that were earlier scheduled to resume from August 17, IANS reported. The decision was taken at a meeting of the COVID-19 task force held late on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte. It was attended by Task Force members, education and health department officials as well as a few district collectors. The members decided not to restart all schools from August 17. However, the schools in rural areas, where there is no threat from coronavirus will continue to function. The schools have been closed in the state since March last year during the outbreak of COVID-19.  Expressing concern, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik claimed in states like Punjab where schools were allowed to reopen, the COVID-19 cases saw a sharp increase among juvenile patients. Furthermore, the officials said as there is no vaccination available for the children yet, a decision on reopening the schools should not be taken immediately, the news agency reported.