Schools and cinemas to reopen despite spike in cases

Schools, cinemas and swimming pools will be allowed to reopen in India after a months-long coronavirus lockdown, the Home Ministry said yesterday, even as experts warn that the nation is on track to becoming the world’s most-infected.
India, home to 1.3bn people, has recorded more than 6.2mn cases so far – second only to the United States – and more than 97,000 deaths.
But the government has gradually restarted activities to salvage an economy badly battered by the lockdown, with millions of people, particularly the poor, losing their livelihoods.
Classes for students aged 14 to 17 were allowed to resume in some states last week, but the new announcement affects all schools.
“For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, (states and union territory) governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15 in a graded manner,” the ministry said in a statement.
Online and distance learning “shall be encouraged” and students cannot be forced to attend classes, it added.
Higher education institutions remain shut, although some post-graduate and research students in science and technology courses could return to laboratories.
Cinemas in the movie-obsessed country will be permitted to reopen with 50% capacity, while swimming pools can be used for sports training.
Movie industry representatives in Bollywood said in May it would take at least two years for them to recover financially from the pandemic, putting tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
Industry figures show India makes 1,200 films in a typical year, while there are 9,500 theatres that have been shut down completely in the last over six months.
International commercial flights remain suspended although limited services, many to allow citizens to return to their home countries, have been operating.
Trains, metros, domestic flights, markets and restaurants have already reopened or resumed service, with some restrictions.
The virus initially hit major metropolitan areas including Mumbai and New Delhi.
But it has since spread to regional and rural areas where healthcare systems are even more fragile and patchy.
Meanwhile, health experts yesterday warned there is a likelihood of increased transmission of the coronavirus in India during the winter months.
“Based on our knowledge of other respiratory viruses, it may be possible that the coronavirus infections might rise in the coming winter months,” Dr Richa Sareen of Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said.