Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will meet on Thursday to review the pandemic situation in the city. The meeting comes amid demands of lifting weekend curfew and odd-even system of opening shops by traders as well as the AAP and the BJP.
Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal will chair the meeting.
As Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to attend the meeting and will discuss relaxations that may be allowed since Covid-19 cases are declining, according to Delhi Government, decision will also be taken on the reopening of schools from February month depending on the vaccination status of the students by the end of this month.
On the matter of reopening of Delhi schools, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also interacted with a delegation of parents.
Sisodia, who also holds the charge of Education Minister in the AAP Government said, reopening of schools is necessary to prevent further damage to socio -emotional wellbeing of students.
The Education Minister added that according to various researches done by global institutions, the risk of Covid is less among young children, and will recommend schools in the DDMA meeting. “We closed school when it was not safe for children but excessive caution is now harming our children. “A generation of children will be left behind if we do not open our schools now,” he added.
It may be noted that the national capital on Wednesday reported 7,498 positive cases in the last 24 hours. While 11,164 patients recovered and 70,084 tests conducted, the tests positivity rate recorded 10.59 per cent and 29 deaths.
While online learning confining the social interactions and students are bound to attend online classes due amid the threat of Covid 19, Sisodia said, “In the past two years, school children's lives have been confined to their rooms. Instead of going to schools and spending time in playgrounds, all their activities now take place only on mobile phones. The pandemic-induced school closures have not only affected their studies but also mental health. During COVID, our priority was children's safety. But since various researches have now found that Covid-19 is not so harmful for kids, it is important to reopen the schools, as now is the time for exams and related preparations," he added.
“Schools are being reopened in several countries and even many Indian states. The Covid cases and positivity rate are on the decline in Delhi, it would not be suitable to keep children away from schools. Hence, the Delhi Government will request in the DDMA meeting that it be allowed to reopen schools while following all Covid-19 protocols. With children returning to schools, not only will the schools witness a buzz but it will also indicate lives coming back on track,” he said.
The Deputy CM further tweeted, "I agree with the parents' demands. We closed school when it was not safe for children but excessive caution is now harming our children. A generation of children will be left behind if we do not open our schools now."
