A day after the Haryana Government declared coronavirus an epidemic. The State Government on Friday ordered schools, colleges and other educational institutes to remain closed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The Haryana Government on Friday decided to close all colleges and universities in five districts located adjoining the national Capital till March 31 as a precautionary measure in the wake of the deadly coronavirus.
This was stated in a press statement by the State’s Higher Education Department. All Government and private schools in Gurugram, Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjar and Faridabad districts, in the neighbourhood of Delhi, will be closed till March 31. However, students in these districts will take their exams as per schedule, according to a school education order.
However, the schools in other districts of the state will function as usual.
As per the advisory issued by the Panchkula based Director General of Higher Education, “The State Government has decided that all universities and colleges situated in Haryana state will be closed till March 31 as a precautionary measure.”
The department of school education Haryana, meanwhile, in its order stated, “All the Government, as well as private schools situated in Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Faridabad and Gurugram districts, will remain closed till March 31 with immediate effect, except for holding examinations.”
The students will attend the school only to take the board exams, annual exams and assessment exams. However, all the teaching and non-teaching staff members will attend the school as usual.
Several schools, meanwhile, have suspended classes or restructured them after parents expressed reluctance to send their children for fear of infection.
“Classes at our school have been suspended for 10 days now as a precautionary measure against coronavirus. Only examinations are being conducted. We have informed parents that the school has taken sanitation measures. The entire school, including its furniture and access areas, has been sanitized,” said Archana Sagar Principal Ridge Valley School in Gurugram.
“The virus is affecting the lungs and causing breathing issues. Anyone suffering from coughs and fever, along with breathing difficulties, should seek medical attention immediately. Besides, pregnant women should exercise caution both inside and outside the house in terms of maintaining personal hygiene,” said Dr Neeru Mehra, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Miracles Mediclinic & Apollo Cradle Hospital
“Avoid close proximity with anyone showing flu-like symptoms. Avoid contact with animals, unless vaccinated pets and also avoid crowded public places such as markets and cover your face while sneezing or coughing, or anybody near you is sneezing or coughing,” she further said.