Closing of Schools: Many States Close Schools Due To Omicron, Check State-Wise Updates Here

Schools Closing Updates: As per the recent updates, many states have been recording an increased number of COVID-19, Omicron infections. Therefore, to stop the spread, several state governments have announced to shut schools, colleges and other educational institutions from today - 3rd January 2022. Schools will have to conduct online classes till further orders.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccination drive for 15 to18-year-olds children will also begin today. Children of this age group are eligible to get only Covaxin, the only one cleared for emergency use for children. The new guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination will be in effect from 3rd January 2022.

List of States That Have Closed Schools

• Mumbai: Mumbai Municipal Corporation has ordered the closure of primary schools across the city to stop the spread of COVID-19 infection. Earlier, Primary and Upper Primary Schools for Class 1 to 8 students in the city were slated to reopen from 3rd January, however, it has been deferred until the month-end.
• Goa: The state government has decided to close down the schools and colleges in the state until January 26, 2022, amidst the rising COVID cases. It has been decided that offline sessions for students from classes 8 and 9 in schools will be closed until 26th January 2022. He further stated that students of classes 11 and 12 will have to attend schools to take the vaccination and once vaccinated they need not attend the classes until 26th January 2022.
• West Bengal: The state government is closing all educational institutions from today, 3rd January 2022. The West Bengal school education department has earlier instructed school teachers and non-teaching staff having COVID omicron symptoms such as cough, cold or mild fever to not go to schools till they test negative for the coronavirus infection in the backdrop of West Bengal Covid cases doubling within one day.
• Delhi: Due to an increase in the Omicron case, the government has announced 'Yellow Alert'. Soon after, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) released new guidelines in which schools, colleges and other educational institutions had to be closed until further orders. Also, the government has announced winter vacations for classes 1 to 5.
• Uttar Pradesh: Schools in Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida have been shut down after witnessing an increase in Omicron cases and severe cold waves. The state government has announced winter vacations in government schools up to class 8. The schools will remain close for 15 days till 14th January 2022. However, no guidelines have been issued for private schools.
• Rajasthan: The Primary and Upper Primary Schools in Jaipur have been closed by the Rajasthan State Government as part of the new restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. For now, the state government has announced the closure of Primary Schools from 3rd to 9th January 2022. This has been taken done to safeguard the school children, especially those falling in the age group of 5 to 15.
• Maharashtra: State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has announced that schools can be closed if COVID cases increase in the state. The official announcement of the closure of the schools has not been announced yet, but it is being assumed that an update will be released soon.
• Odisha: School and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash stated, "Keeping in view the rise in the number of daily cases and based on the feedback provided by parents across the state, we have decided not to reopen schools for students of Classes 1 to 5 from January 3." This statement from the minister came after recording the Omicron cases in the state. Physical classes were planned to be resumed in about 27,000 schools in Odisha.
• Haryana: After recording a sharp increase in the Omicron cases, the state government released new restrictions, including the closure of schools and colleges. As per the notice, the state government has announced winter vacation in the schools till 12th January. Following the Delhi government’s decision, states started mulling over closing schools for primary classes.

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