34 students in Punjab schools test positive for coronavirus

LAHORE: At least 34 students have tested positive for coronavirus in Punjab since reopening of schools in the province on 15th September 2020 according to the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

A spokesperson of the health department told a media outlet that 24 students tested positive for coronavirus in Gujranwala, seven in Nankana Sahib and one in Bhakkar.

Apart from the 34 students, two staff member of schools have also tested positive for COVID-19 in Lodhran and Bhakkar while two educational institutions have been sealed in Nankana Sahib while one in Gujranwala.

Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas has said that there are over 120,000 schools in the province and it would be impractical to shut all of them if coronavirus emerges from a few schools.

However, the education minister stated that no date is final and this is a day to day matter and the phase-wise reopening of schools in Punjab can be delayed if the situation demands.

Earlier, the Sindh Government had decided to delay reopening of schools in the second phase by one week after several students and teachers tested positive for coronavirus.

The Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani also told media that the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) at schools was not up to the mark.

Read more: Sindh delays second phase of reopening schools.

However, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has rejected any change in the delay in the phase-wise reopening of schools as stated by the Sindh Education Minister.

According to the Federal Education Minister, the reopening of schools will continue as planned and a meeting will be held on 22nd September to discuss the situation.

Read more: Sindh’s decision to delay reopening schools rejected by Shafqat Mahmood.

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