Mizoram To Close Schools For Students Of Class 8 And Below Following Spike In COVID-19 Cases

Mizoram will close schools for students of Class 8 and below following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the state. However, the ongoing exams for Classes 9 to 12 will continue till they are completed.

Mizoram will close down schools for students of Class 8 and below following a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the second wave of the virus in the state, a new guideline issued by the state government which came into effect on Saturday said. Schools for students of Classes 5 to 8 were reopened on March 1 and for Classes 3 and 4 on April 1. According to the new guideline, only online classes will be conducted for students of Class 8 and below as normal classes have been suspended with immediate effect. The proposed opening of schools for the new academic session 2021-2022 on May 4 for all classes - Nursery to Class 12 too has been cancelled or reversed until further orders. This covers all schools, including those under the Central Board of Secondary Education board, the guideline said. However, the ongoing exams for Classes 9 to 12 will continue till they are completed. Classes in universities and colleges will be subject to the decision taken by the state's higher and technical education department, it said. Public interview for ministers has been suspended, for the time being, the guideline issued on Friday night said. The state government has also banned night church services and extended the duration of the existing night curfew in the state capital town of Aizawl and the district headquarters in view of the second COVID-19 wave, it said. The night curfew was extended from its earlier 10 pm to 4 am to 8.30 pm to 4 am in all district headquarters. Night church services were allowed twice a week after the opening of religious places in the state in March. Congregational singing and any singing in the form of solo, duet and quartet are strictly prohibited in church and any other gatherings, the guideline said. Churches, cinema halls, auditoria, community halls, picnic spots and other places of entertainment like resorts are allowed to open with 50 per cent of their sitting capacity.