Nepal to close all schools in urban areas till May 14 in wake of rising COVID-19 cases

An emergency ministerial meeting of Nepal Cabinet on Monday decided to close all the educational institutions of urban areas till May 14 in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.

The information about the closure of schools in urban areas was shared by a sitting minister.

"Meeting has decided to close the schools and colleges till end of Baisakh (May 14). Along with the educational institutions other services which brings on more people at one place also has been asked to close," Prabhu Shah, a sitting Minister in cabinet of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli told over phone.

Earlier, the COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee had recommended government to close schools and colleges in areas with high risk of COVID-19.

However, the government has directed schools and colleges to continue with their virtual classes.

The Health Ministry on April 15 had classified 14 districts as COVID-19 hit areas, urging the people to follow safety protocols.

The government has already categorised Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski, Rupandehi, Chitwan, Banke, Parsa, Kailali, Morang, Dang, Surkhet, Bara and Banglung as the districts with high risk of COVID-19.

( With inputs from ANI )