Decision to open schools has to be taken very cautiously: NITI Aayog

June 23: Since the outbreak of the 2nd wave of coronavirus, educational institutions were again shut in India, However, with the dip in the numbers, will the schools be reopened in the states? Well, this is a tough decision. Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health), Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog  said that the decision to open schools is a very tough one. He was addressing the Union Health Ministry’s media briefing on COVID-19, held at National Media Centre, PIB Delhi on Tuesday.

Speaking about easing restrictions and reopening of schools, Dr. Paul said that the decision has to be taken cautiously and that we should take risks only when we are protected. “School is a crowd, a medium or large gathering, which gives opportunity for virus to infect. So, we should take that risk only when we are rather better protected, virus is suppressed and we are able to sit at a distance. But it is not easy to take this decision to open schools when an unpredictable situation is prevalent.”

The NITI Aayog member also mentioned that the virus is suppressed at present due to discipline and restrictions prevalent in many states, if we ease restrictions and open schools, then the virus gets opportunities to infect.