While the State Task Force has given a go ahead for starting the process of reopening schools in a phased manner, it was decided at a paediatric task force meeting held recently that local corporations will take the final call on whether to restart in-person classes in the schools in their areas. Sources told mid-day that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was looking at reopening schools in Mumbai post the Diwali break.

As per the paediatric task force recommendations, a school also needs to have a medical unit. A member of the paediatric task force said that while they have given the recommendations, it would be the local corporation’s decision whether to reopen schools in their area or continue with virtual learning. “Some parts of Maharashtra still have a high number of cases and test positivity rate. Depending on the number of cases and TPR, the corporations can decide whether to resume in-person classes,” said the member.