Delhi govt says schools will remain shut till 31 October due to COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi: All schools in the National Capital will remain closed till 31 October in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi government officials said on Sunday. The Delhi government had earlier extended the school closure till 5 October, though the Centre had permitted calling students of classes 9 to 12 to schools on voluntary basis from 21 September. Follow LIVE updates on COVID-19 here “The Directorate of Education (DoE) has been directed to extend the ongoing closure of schools till Oct 31. Formal orders to this effect will be issued by DoE tomorrow,” an official at the Deputy Chief Minister’s office said. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also holds the education portfolio. Universities and schools across the country have been closed since 16 March when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. On 25 March, the central government announced a nationwide lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading. As per the latest unlock guidelines, schools, colleges and other educational institutions can reopen outside containment zones after 15 October. However, the decision on whether to reopen educational institutions has been left with states and union territories.