•      Wed Nov 6 2024
Logo

Health Ministry recommends to close schools for a month in big cities



Minister of Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi addressing a press conference at the Ministry on Monday, January 11, 2021. (Photo: ET)

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has recommended to close schools in big cities including Kathmandu Valley for one month after a new surge in coronavirus cases.

The Ministry of Health suggests online classes during this period.

A new variant of the coronavirus is now seen in the youth and younger age groups, according to the ministry’s analysis. Minister of Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi informed that the schools need to be closed for at least 30 days to break the chain.

He said that the government don’t have better options than to close schools as there was no vaccine for those under 18 years of age.

Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, Minister Tripathi said, “When 7-8 lakh students in the Valley alone stay at home, mobility is reduced by 20 percent.”

According to him, the issue has been discussed at the Covid-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) and the Council of Ministers. But a formal decision remains to be made.