Deputy CM of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, stated that (due to Covid19), the schools will remain closed till there is a vaccine available.  On March 16, the schools and universities were closed as a measure to contain the spread of the virus.

Sisodia further stressed that until there is a vaccine available, the schools are unlikely to open keeping in mind the health and safety factors for the students. Under the Unlock 5 guidelines, the states can take measures of opening the schools as and when they see fit. Some states have announced closures of schools due to the resurgence of Covid19 cases.

Schools were earlier allowed to call the students from class 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis from September 21 onwards and at that time Delhi had decided against it.

The city has recorded 4454 fresh cases of Covid19 infection and a positivity rate of 11.94%, while the death toll was pushed to 8512 with 121 more deaths.

Keeping in consideration the resurgence of Covid19 cases in the country and especially in the Delhi region, the Delhi government has decided against opening the schools till there is a vaccine available.

The vaccine candidate, AZD1222 developed jointly by the Astra Zeneca and the University of Oxford has reported a robust efficacy of up to 90%. The announcement paves the way for the British company and its Indian contract manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India (SII), to approach drug regulators in their respective countries for an emergency licensure. SII plans to launch the vaccine under the ‘Covishield’ brand in India and other low- and middle-income countries.

Opening of the schools and classes will depend on when the vaccine becomes available.

The author is a member of Amity centre of Happiness