Schools to reopen in Mizoram from January 22 for 10 and 12.
Key sentence:
- Mizoram has agreed to allow the reopening of schools starting January 22 for classes 10 and 12.
- Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, agreed to reopen places of worship with minimal participants.
- Education James Lalrinchhana told PTI that schools would remain closed for students of other grades until further instructions are issued.
- The government also agreed to allow more people to attend funerals and weddings.
Mizoram has agreed to allow the reopening of schools starting January 22 for classes 10 and 12, and February for places of worship, officials said that on Friday.
School reopening in Mizoram:
As the COVID-19 situation has improved, they said, Mizoram, a Christian-majority state, agreed to reopen places of worship with minimal participants.
At a conference between physicians, churches, and civil society organizations, decisions were made. The session was chaired by Health Minister R Lalthangliana.
For Sabbath adherents, the churches will be open for services every Saturday at noon, as well as for other religions on Sundays.
As per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs:
However, by the current Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), only 200 participants or 50 per cent of the seating capacity, which is less will be permitted, officials said.
For other days, worship services will not be held.
Usually, services are held three times on Sabbaths (Saturday) including on Sundays in Mizoram.
Since March 22 last year, churches have also been closed in the state to avoid the spreading of COVID-19. It was also agreed that daily lectures for students of standards 10 and 12, who participate in the board examinations in April, would begin at colleges.
They also will be permitted to stay for preparing at hostels. Students would have to clear the Rapid Antigen Test before they go to classes, however.
Director of School Education James Lalrinchhana stated to PTI:
Director of School Education James Lalrinchhana told PTI that schools would remain closed for students of other grades until further instructions are issued.
The conference also agreed to revamp swab tests on samples and quarantine procedures for individuals from outside coming to the state.
In addition to providing more relaxation in night curfew timings, the government also agreed to allow more people to attend funerals and weddings, and partially ease the constraints on hotels, gymnasiums, shops and business establishments, traffic, and sports facilities.
Mizoram’s COVID-19 curve showed a downward trend:
Throughout the last month, Mizoram’s COVID-19 curves showed a decreasing trend, with only 264 cases registered. On Friday, the state did not announce any COVID-19 incidents. The total of the state is 4,310, 96 of which are involved, while 4,205 have returned.
