Pathanamthitta/Kottayam: The educational institutions in Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts will remain closed on Tuesday in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Kerala, authorities informed on Monday. However, the SSLC and Plus-Two examinations scheduled for Tuesday will not be postponed.
All educational institutions including anganwadis, schools, colleges and polytechnics in Pathanamthitta district will remain closed till Wednesday, District Collector P B Nooh said.
Schools in Kottayam will remain closed on Tuesday too.
Annual day functions in schools, temple festivals, public feasts and distribution of food have been banned in the district until further notice.
No change to exams
SSLC and Plus-Two examinations scheduled for Tuesday will not be postponed, officials informed. Masks and sanitizers will be made available in schools.
While the PTA is responsible for providing these at the government schools, private school authorities will be responsible for providing these in their respective schools.
Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after interaction with the patients will not be permitted to write the exams. These students can later attempt the SAY/improvement examinations.
Students who have not yet shown symptoms despite interaction with patients will be permitted to write the exam separately in the same centre.
Bevco outlet shut
The Bevco outlet in Ranni has been shut indefinitely after it was found from CCTV visuals that those who were tested positive for Coronavirus from Kerala this week had visited the shop earlier.
The Bevco staff and their families were advised to stay under observation.
The Pathanamthitta district authorities have directed the public to avoid huge gatherings for festivals, weddings and funerals.
Biometric services suspended, digital payments encouraged
All biometric services including Aadhaar at the Akshaya Centres in Pathanamthitta district has been stopped temporarily.
The Mahatma Gandhi University too has directed its employees to avoid biometric punching till March 31. Employees have been advised to use attendance books instead.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Electricity Board has advised its consumers in Ranni North and South sections to use the online facility to pay the electric bills of this month. The deadline for the same has been extended till March 20.
The military canteens in Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Kottarakkara will be shut from Tuesday till March 15, the Army Authorities District Administration announced.
Three of a family who had returned from Italy on February 29 were tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. Two of their relatives were also tested positive for the virus. All the five hail from Ranni in Pathanamthitta.
A three-year-old, who arrived in Kochi from Italy, has tested positive on Monday taking the number of positive cases to six in the state.
