No Plan To Shut Schools Despite Surge In Virus Cases: Minister

Government will continue to monitor the health of students, teachers and school staff, tweets Shafqat; Maritime Affairs Minister Zaidi tests positive for COVID-19; PM vows to end class-based segregation in education sector

- Tariq Butt

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has denied “rumours” that the government has decided to close schools in view of rising coronavirus cases in the country.

In a tweet, he said the government will continue to monitor the health of students, teachers and school staff “but at the moment no such decision (about closing schools or educational institutions) has been made.”

Earlier during the day, the Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that the schools in the province will remain open for now despite an increase in coronavirus cases.

The provincial government is keeping a close eye on coronavirus cases in the schools, Murad Raas said adding that random testing was being conducted and a slight increase in numbers has been observed.

The situation is being analysed on a daily basis and there is no plan to close schools as of right now, he tweeted and advised citizens to strictly follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, he confirmed on social media, vowing that while he was “down”, he was “not out”.