Balochistan shuts down education institutions until March 31 over coronavirus fears

The Balochistan government has declared that all of the province’s schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed until 31 March.

The decision arrived during a press conference in Quetta on Thursday night.

“The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to contain the coronavirus outbreak in the province,” said Education Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad.

He added that they would take legal action against those who condemn the decision.

At the other side, leaders of the Grand Alliance of Balochistan Private Schools have opposed the decision. According to member Nazar Barech, the province’s education system is going through a difficult period, and it will be intensified by an increase in school closure.

All of the province’s political parties will raise their voices against that decision, he said.

The development comes hours after the coronavirus count reached 21 in Pakistan. Most cases were registered in Sindh but one case was registered in Quetta. The patient is a 14-year-old boy.

Thousands of people are quarantined at the Taftan border and in a Quetta camp.