Taking a combative posture against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared closure of all educational institutions, including coaching classes, cinema halls and multiplexes in the state till April 2.
The government has ordered closure of all tourist places and suspended the conduct of exams of any type, including annual or competitive, with immediate effect.
With this order, the examinations being conducted by UP Board or universities affiliated with any wing of Uttar Pradesh stand cancelled. But the examinations of central board like ICSE, ISC and CBSE will be held as per schedule. These institutions need to follow the advisory issued by the Central government regarding COVID-19.
Government spokesman Awanish Awasthi said that as the CBSE, ICSE and ISC do not come under the UP government, they (these boards) need to take their own call.
The government has also suggested private companies and government departments to encourage their employees to work from home. All government programmes, including ‘Tehsil Diwas’ and ‘Janata Darshan’, have been cancelled till April 2.
These directives were issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a Cabinet meeting held in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Government spokesman and Power Minister Shrikant Sharma said that the CM has asked people of the state to stay away from crowd and avoid social gatherings. “Do not panic. The government is on full alert,” Sharma said while briefing mediapersons about the Chief Minister’s directives.
In order to give respite to the daily wage workers, who will be financially affected due to this decision, the government has ordered to set up a three-member committee headed by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, who will suggest ways to provide cash subsidy to these workers. There is a suggestion that money be transferred in the bank accounts of these workers through RTGS.
The amount of the money will be decided by the three-member committee whose other members are Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Labour Minister Swami Prasad Maurya.
Besides, a committee headed by Chief Secretary RK Tiwari will take the call of the departments where work from home could be started.
“All the coronavirus patients in the state will be provided free of cost treatment in the state while there will be no salary or wage cut for government employees if they get affected by this dreaded disease,” the CM said in the meeting. The government has also banned agitation or protest of any kind.
Sharma said that the CM has also appealed to all the religious clerics to minimise the crowds at the dargahs, temples and other religious places and tell devotees to follow precautionary measures.
The CM said that though the tourist places would be shut down, their cleanness should be done regularly.
“The CM has said that the Centre’s advisory on coronavirus will be strictly implemented in the state. District magistrates have been asked start an awareness campaign about this disease by putting up banners and posters,” Shrma said.