Govt decides to close academic institutions of city areas

By Purushottam P. Khatri
Kathmandu, Apr. 20: A Cabinet meeting held on Monday has decided to run virtual classes in all the schools and colleges of the city areas until May 14.
According to Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung, the schools and colleges operating in the city areas of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bharatpur, Kankadbhitta, Birtamod, Damak, Biratnagar, Itahari, Dharan, Birgunj, Janakpur, Rajbiraj, Hetauda, ​​Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Butwal, Ghorahi, Tulsipur, Nepalganj Dhangadhi and Bhimdatta Nagar will remain shut until May 14.
Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, informed that the government decided to conduct virtual classes and give continuity to all practical and other examinations whose schedules had already been published.
Minister Gurung said that the decision was taken as a new variant of Coronavirus was confirmed in major cities of the country, and more school students were founded infected with it.
The Council of Ministers, however, did not take any decision regarding the upcoming SEE examination.
The government has also passed an order to prevent and control the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Gurung said that the educational institutions would be closed as recommended by the DCCMCs in districts.
He said that teaching and conducting examinations through alternative means would continue so as not to waste the future of the students.
The government has also decided to impose a ban on the gatherings of political parties and other crowds till mid-May.
According to Minister Gurung, full observance to public health standards would be applied in cinema halls, night life business and entertainment sectors, dance bars, clubs, party venues, health clubs, gyms, swimming pools, public meetings, processions and markets.
The Cabinet meeting has also decided to close the areas where it would be difficult to implement the public health protocols and where the risks would be high. All temples and mosques are allowed to conduct their daily and compulsory worship and worshipers are prohibited from entering the temples.
Minister Gurung said the decision of the Council of Ministers would come into effect from Monday itself.
Similarly, the government has imposed a ban on the gathering of more than five people in public places. The Cabinet meeting held today issued a ‘Coronavirus pandemic Control Prevention Order with a new variant’ stating that no more than five people can gather in a public place.
According to the order, party venues will be closed until mid-May and more than 25 people will not be allowed to participate in weddings, funeral processions and other rituals.