Amid widespread and rising coronavirus cases, all schools, colleges, cinema halls in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed till April 2. Earlier the Yogi Adityanath government had decided to shut all educational institutions and cinema halls till March 31. The decision to extend the date comes after India reported third death due to COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the UP Cabinet, minister Shrikant Sharma said, "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that all schools, colleges and educational institutes will remain closed till April 2."
Competitive and other examinations too have been postponed till April 2.
All tourists places in the state have been shut, the minister said. All cinemas and multiplexes will also remain closed till April 2, Sharma said.
He said the district magistrates have been instructed to spread awareness through posters and banners on the viral disease.
"An appeal has been made to religious leaders to avoid crowding in temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches and exercise caution," Sharma said.
A 64-year-old man, who had contracted coronavirus infection, has died in Maharashtra today, the state that has reported maximum cases of the highly contagious illness in India.
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation last week.
The total number of deaths due to coronavirus across the world has crossed the 7,000 mark. According to data, the total number of deaths across the globe were recorded at 7,071, out of 179,814 total cases.
The center on Monday declared a countrywide lockdown of schools, colleges, gyms and swimming pools - crowded areas that could allow for exponential spread of the virus.
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