Bhubaneswar: Amid a spike in COVID cases and the threat of the third wave, the Odisha government has decided to tighten restrictions by closing schools and curbing mass gatherings from Friday.
Physical classes up to Standard XII in government and private schools will remain suspended till January 31. However, online classes for students of Class X and Class XII and all examinations, including the ongoing summative examination, will continue by observing COVID appropriate behaviour, a notification issued by the School and Mass Education department said on Thursday.
The educational institutions can also organise doubt clearing classes in small batches for Class X and XII students with the written consent of the parents by observing COVID protocols, it added.
The schools are also barred from conducting excursions and picnics.
While physical classes were currently being held for Class VI to XII, the government had deferred its decision to resume classes for primary students from January 3.