Lahore: According to the Dunya News Urdu reports, the COVID cases started rising again after schools reopen. In Karachi, there is a massive increase in the new COVID cases and the majority of them are from the schools.
According to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), on 17th September 2020, there were 752 new cases registered in just 24 hours. With that nine deaths also recorded in just 1 day.
The Karachi campus of IBA (Institute of Business Administration) was reopened and in the first week, there were two COVID cases reported. Due to these cases, the IBA campus got lockdown again.
Employees of Hala, Matiari, and New Saeedabad colleges also diagnosed positive while tested for the coronavirus. This news is disclosed by the Health Department of Sindh. Among the affected persons, there is one senior clerk of Hala Girls College and two professors as well.
If we talk about the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, then according to NCOC there are 16 positive cases reported in an educational institute. The name of the institute is not declared but it is locked down as well.
Many schools in Pakistan closed again when they reopened after 6 months. The administration has asked the schools to strictly follow the SOPs. But even then new cases are growing in the schools.
COVID Cases in Punjab
34 students in Punjab are tested positive for the Coronavirus in just 3 days. This is confirmed by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of Punjab. This situation is alarming as till now only higher secondary schools are reopened. Students can take care of them very well and can follow the SOPs as well.
Out of these 34 students, 24 cases are from the Gujranwala, 7 cases from Nankana Sahib and 1 case from Bhakkar. According to the spokesperson of the Healthcare Department, 2 staff members are also tested positive for COVID 19 from Lodhran and Bhakkar.
What Could Happen After Primary Schools Reopen?
But the real problem can start when classes will be started from the Playgroup. The little kids can’t wear masks all the time. Avoiding shaking hands is also difficult for them. So, teachers must be very careful in this regard.
According to the reports, many parents are not in favor of sending their kids to schools from the 30th of September. On this date, all the primary schools in Pakistan will reopen. But the current scenario is not favorable for the little kids.
Reports From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, 16 educational institutes are closed again after the reopening. 5 institutes are closed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister of labor, Shaukat Yousufzai has said that they can review the decision of reopening the schools. The decision of reopening the schools in phases is helping them to monitor the increase in COVID 19 cases.
If they see a spike in COVID cases, they can lock down the educational institutes again. Said the KP minister. He further said that strict action will be taken against those institutes who are not following the standard operations of procedures (SOPs).
Overall Situation in Pakistan
Pakistan has controlled the spread of coronavirus very well by following the SOPs. The administration also controlled the economy very well by introducing the concept of “Smart Lockdown“.
The international media and country heads appreciated the efforts and strategy of Pakistan’s government in this regard. The World Health Organization (WHO), also appreciated the strategy of smart lockdown. They ask other countries to follow the system of Pakistan to control the spread of COVID 19.
Now about the reopening of schools in Pakistan, many schools are happy with the decision of reopening schools. Parents also wanted to send their kids back to school for education. But after observing the increase in COVID cases, parents are now hesitating in sending their little kids to school.
