Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 13

The Chandigarh Administration has suspended classes in schools till March 31 amid rising coronavirus cases in the country.

A circular by Chandigarh's Education Department said that all government and private schools---both aided and unaided---will remain closed until March 31, but examinations will go on according to schedule.

"Students will attend the school only to take/appear in the Board Examination, Annual Examination and Assessment Examination etc. during March 2020 as per the previous schedule," the circular said. However, all teaching and non-teaching staff members will attend the school as usual until further orders.

It also said parents should instruct their children to avoid crowds or large gatherings during this period.

"Students may also be advised to follow the School Advisory/ Instructions/ Guidelines issued from time to time by the Ministry of Health, Govt. of India / local health department, the circular said.

The decision came after Chandigarh Parent Association had written to UT Home Secretary asking the administration close schools.

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“Several state governments across the country have closed their educational institutions till 31 March in view of the rapid spread of Novel Corona Virus COVID-19. However, in Chandigarh, some private schools have already begun the regular classes for the new academic session 2020-21 and many other schools are going to begin the classes as early as next week. The annual exams are already over in most of the schools and will be over in the remaining ones during the next week. The schools are still prone to spreading the infections as many students have been visiting other places during the holidays after the annual exams,” read the letter sent the association to the Home Secretary.

The development comes as the number of active coronavirus cases rose to 81. There are no confirmed coronavirus cases in the city, but Punjab has reported one case so far.