Pakistan to reopen schools as cases decline

Islamabad is set to reopen schools that were closed since March when the government announced a nationwide lockdown. Falling coronavirus cases have pushed the government to reopen educational institutes.

Islamabad: Education officials in Pakistan said that authorities will start reopening schools from September 15 amid a steady decline in coronavirus deaths and infections.

Schools were closed in March when the government enforced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. Authorities lifted curbs on most of the businesses in May, but schools remained closed across the country.

Officials said schools will reopen in Punjab and Sindh provinces from September 15 and a formal announcement about the opening of schools elsewhere was expected later on Monday.

Pakistan on Sunday reported three new deaths from COVID-19, one of the lowest number of daily fatalities in the last five months.

The country has reported 298,903 infections and 6,345 deaths since the pandemic began.

AP