Centre likely to issue advisory on reopening schools soon: Sources
New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): With the COVID-19 vaccination
drive for children aged 15 gathering pace, the Centre is likely to issue
an advisory soon to reopen schools across the country.
Sources have
told ANI that, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked the
National Expert Group to suggest ways and work on modalities to open
schools nationwide.
“COVID-19 has affected children of all age
groups. However, the mortality rate and severity of disease in children
are negligible. Health experts believe that it is high time children
return to schools,” sources said.
Ever since the outbreak of the
COVID-19 pandemic, schools have remained by and large shut. Some states
did open schools partially on an on and off basis but widespread
apprehensions and reservations continue to remain.
“However, it will be up to states to decide whether they are ready to open schools or not,a source told ANI.
Top
sources have also told ANI that the Centre wants to reopen schools in a
staggered manner and under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The
countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16, 2021 and
vaccination of all eligible population above 18 years of age started
from May 1, 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from
January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years.
On
Thursday, the Union Health Ministry said that in a landmark achievement,
95 per cent of the eligible population has been administered with the
first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 164.35 crore (1,64,35,41,869) mark on Thursday evening.
Moreover,
more than one crore (1,03,04,847) Precaution Doses for the identified
categories of beneficiaries for COVID vaccination have been administered
so far, the ministry said yesterday evening. (ANI)