Srinagar, May-02: With no let up in COVID-19 positive cases, the government Sunday ordered extension for the closure of all educational establishments across Jammu and Kashmir till May 31.

Chairperson of the State Executive Committee (SEC) B V R Subrahmanyam said, “All Universities, Colleges and Technical Skill development institutions in JK shall remain closed for imparting on-campus and in-person education to the students till 31 May 312021.”

Subrahmanyam in an order however said that the courses or programs that require physical presence of students on account of laboratory, research, thesis work and internship shall be exempted.

He also said that the teaching in all these institutions will be in online mode

“All schools and coaching centres in JK shall continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus and in-person education to students of all classes till May 31,” Subrahmanyam said.

He also said that the Schools, Colleges, Technical Education and Skill Development Institutes shall not require in-person attendance of any member of the staff and the teaching staff shall conduct online classes only from their homes.

The concerned departments will issue guidelines in this regard.

Subrahmanyam  said that the Universities shall be permitted to seek in-person attendance of minimal staff only for research, lab and thesis work etcetera, however, such staff of educational institutions as are needed by the concerned District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) for official duties shall not be exempted from duties on account of this order.

“Even where some institutions are allowed to be opened by a specific or general order, educational institutions are strongly advised to take full safety precautions especially by ensuring social distancing, staggered attendance, maintaining sanitation and hygiene, early identification and isolation of suspect cases,” the government ordered.

Meanwhile the government has also said that the paid public parks shall also remain closed for visitors till further orders.

Besides, the SEC also said that only fifty percent of shops in major markets within the municipal limits shall be open on alternate basis through a rotation system.

Religious places will continue to remain open subject to adherence of recommended COVID-19 SOPs.

The government also said that the complete Corona night curfew shall continue to remain imposed within municipal urban local body limits in Jammu and Kashmir every weekend in all districts from 7pm each on Friday till 7am each Monday.