Pakistan extends school closures amid third wave of coronavirus

Educational institutions in 18 high-risk districts to remain shut until April 11, according to the education minister.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s government has ordered educational institutions in 18 high-risk districts to remain closed until April 11, the education minister said, as the country continues to battle a third wave of coronavirus infections. Speaking to the press in the capital Islamabad on Wednesday, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said the decision to extend closures first ordered on March 15 had been taken as virus infection numbers had stayed high. “We will continue to review the state of the [pandemic],” he said. “We are very aware that closing schools significantly harms the education of children, but our children’s health is our first priority and we cannot take a risk with that.”