Early Times Report
Jammu, June 22: Although authorities have eased restrictions after a number of positive cases witnessing a downward trend, NITI Aayog member on Tuesday warned against the opening of schools at this point of time.
Amid the threat of the possible third wave of Coronavirus, Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog on Tuesday said that said the decision regarding opening of schools has to be taken cautiously.
“We should take risky decisions only when we are fully protected”, Dr Paul said while explaining the reasons behind emergence of new pandemic waves and how it can be controlled or even avoided by following COVID appropriate behaviours and taking measures such as vaccination.
He was addressing the Union Health Ministry’s media briefing on COVID-19, held at Delhi this evening.
Speaking about easing restrictions and reopening 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”, he said, adding, “But it is not easy to take this decision to open schools when an unpredictable situation is prevalent.”
He 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. |
