Delhi schools, colleges closed again due to rising cases of Omicron

YELLOW ALERT-

The Delhi government announced yesterday that the schools, colleges and training and coaching institutions would remain closed as the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has declared a “yellow alert” amid a spike in COVID-19 cases following the emergence of the virus’ Omicron variant. 

The CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, has announced a list of new restrictions to control the spread of the virus, including several rules for shops, restrictions on bars and restaurant working hours and capacity. The Delhi Metro is also back on 50 per cent seating capacity.

The national capital has also imposed a night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am.

The alert comes under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). It followed the national capital’s most significant single-day spike in COVID-19 infections in over six months on Monday when 331 new cases were reported.

The schools were allowed to reopen from December 18 for students above class 6 after being closed, considering the alarming pollution levels in Delhi. The government then announced that students’ physical classes up to class five could begin from December 27. However, now again, according to the government’s instruction, Under the “yellow alert”, schools, colleges, training and coaching institutions, as well as libraries, are supposed to be closed.

The DPA president said that the expected high pollution levels and the schools closing again for the utmost time could have been dealt with in a better-planned manner. He also said, “There is always a fear of uncertainty in the minds of our students.”

Ashok Agarwal, President of the All India Parents Association (AIPA), exclaimed how schools had been closed without justification or scientific basis.

 ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINTER VACATION-

It was decided by the school authorities that students up to Class 5 will have winter vacations in Delhi government schools from January 1 to January 15 for revision of the syllabus, and it was declared that no online or offline classes would be held during this time.

However, all the schools have been directed to close with immediate effect till further orders.

Principals of some schools are worried about how these extremely widening learning gaps will be filled if such a situation continues for long.

“Health cannot be compromised, but it’s high time we start working on a long-term plan which is workable,” the principal of a top private school said.

“Delhi government doesn’t care about kids and don’t care about COVID. Because they have once again decided to keep bars and restaurants open but close schools. Shameful,” tweeted by Tanya Agarwal, a lawyer and a parent of a student, who has been vocal about the long term adverse effect of school closures.

ONLINE CLASSES TO CONTINUE –

Online teaching, registration and examinations & related activities such as practicals, projects, and assignments for students will be conducted as per schedule.

The DDMA has also put various restrictions on shops and public transport functioning like establishments of non-essential goods and services, and malls will open based on an odd-even formula from 10 am to 8 pm. At the same time, the Delhi Metro will run at 50 per cent of its seating capacity.