Centre likely to issue recommendationd on reopening schools

The Centre is expected to release a recommendation soon to reopen schools across the country as the COVID-19 vaccination programme for youngsters aged 15 picks up steam. It is planned to reopen schools in stages and in strict accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. However Centre will issue only recommendations, the states will decide whether or not they are ready to start schools,

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has ordered the National Expert Group to offer strategies to open schools across the country and to work on modalities.

COVID-19 has had an impact on children of all ages. Children, on the other hand, have a very low mortality rate and disease severity. According to sources, "health specialists say it is past time for youngsters to return to school."

Schools have been largely closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some states have opened schools on a part-time basis, broad apprehensions and reservations remain.

The nationwide immunisation campaign began on January 16, 2021, and the vaccination of all eligible people over the age of 18 began on May 1, 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination for teenagers aged 15 to 18 years old began on January 3.

On Thursday, the Union Health Ministry said that 95 per cent of the country's eligible population had received the first dosage of COVID-19 vaccination, marking a historic feat.