The educational institutes across Punjab province reopened Monday after the summer vacations, reported 24NewsHd TV channel.

The school staff and administrations have been strictly advised to ensure the implementation of the COVID-19-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the COVID-19 Delta variant.

The entry of teachers and other staff have been banned in the schools without COVID-19 vaccination certificate, while only 50 per cent of the students are allowed to attend the schools in a bid to ensure social distancing.

The temperature of the students is being taken before entering the school premises. The time of schools is from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm.

The colleges and universities have also reopened.

Last week, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas had rejected an extension in summer vacations in the wake of COVID-19 and announced the reopening of all public and private schools in the province from August 2.

An inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference had decided to not extend the summer vacations of educational institutions and all schools have been instructed to open from August 2, Monday.

The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood. All provincial education ministers, including Gilgit-Baltistan’s minister, attended it.

However as the fourth wave of coronavirus continues to gain momentum, the future of keeping the educational institutes is still uncertain and the government may have to enforce another shut down of the educational institutes if the situation deteriorates further.