Even as parents and teachers have opposed the state education ministry's decision to reopen schools after Diwali, CM Uddhav Thackeray has responded positively to the proposal. In a video conference on Saturday with state education minister Varsha Gaikwad, the CM instructed that all safety precautions should be ensured before reopening the schools for Classes IX to XII.

Interestingly, the CM also mentioned that there could be a second wave of infection after Diwali and so, schools, which currently function as COVID-19 centres will have to continue the services. Alternative arrangements will have to be made for students from those schools.