Physical classes will start from August 17 for standards 5th to 7th in rural areas and 8th to 12th in urban areas, the Maharashtra government said on Friday.

School education minister Varsha Gaikwad made the announcement after a meeting with senior officials here. “In the rural areas where classes of standards 8th to 12th had already started, those of standards 5th to 7th will also resume. In the urban areas where no physical classes were being held, those of standards 8th to 12th will be restarted first," Gaikwad said.