A group of pediatricians from Chandigarh’s Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP)  in the country has recommended that schools be shut till August 15. The IAP will review the situation in the last week of July and release fresh recommendations, suggesting options like hybrid schooling which means that children attend school two to three days a week, and home instructions are given.

Dr GV Basavaraj, honorary secretary general, IAP said, “We have taken both the aspects of reopening and closing the schools. What will be the psychological impact on children when the schools are not resumed? And, when the schools start, how to cope up?”

The academy, after considering various literature and studies across the world addressed the impact of not reopening schools. It also cited a study published in Lancet on epidemiology and transmission of Covid-19 in Shenzhen, China which found that around 20 percent asymptomatic cases posed a very high risk of spreading the infection.

The Academy doctors added that the asymptomatic infections could be a considerable challenge once the schools reopen as children will socialise more. The IAP also suggested that testing capacity needs to be scaled up.

Source: The Times of India

Also read: Haryana: Schools may reopen from July 27, colleges shut till July 31