Pune: Schools and colleges in Pune district will remain closed till February 28. The decision come after the rising cases of COVID-19 in the district.

Pune which saw many relaxations in recent months now is witnessing an increase in spread of novel contagion. The decision on reopening schools and colleges in Pune will be taken after a review meeting on Friday.

The decision came after Deputy Chief Minister of state Ajit Pawar who is also the Guardian Minister of Pune took a stock of COVID situation in Pune district and held a meeting on Sunday.

Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao during press conference said, “Due to increase in COVID-19 spread, all schools and colleges in Pune district will remain shut till February 28."

"Also the private coaching classes will remain shut till the further notice. However, the training institutes for competitive exams can remain operational with half capacity," he added.

Schools in rural areas were reopened in November last year for the first time since the outbreak. On the other side, schools in Pune city for Classes 9 to 12 were reopened from January 4 while schools for classes 5 to 8 were resumed from February 1.

The reopening of schools had rescheduled many times in Pune by the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) to curtail the risk of spreading of infection among students and teaching staff. The schools for higher classes were resumed because of the scheduled board exams.