Gopal Rai today announced that primary classes in Delhi schools will reopen from November 9 (Wednesday). He has also revoked the order asking 50 per cent of the government staff to work from home.
The announcement was made by Gopal Rai, Delhi’s Minister for Environment, in a press conference today.
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The decision has been taken as the Delhi government believes that there has been improvement in the capital’s pollution levels.
“There has been an improvement in air quality in the past two days. Yesterday and today, the AQI has fallen to around 350. There is a reduction in the stubble burning count as well, and the wind direction has changed. Considering this, the CAQM has revoked GRAP Phase-4. Restrictions under Phase-3 will continue,” he said in a press conference.
“If there are changes in the AQI, then further decisions will be taken depending on the directions of the CAQM,” he added. The ban on outdoor activities in schools has also been revoked now.
Primary classes were ordered shut on Friday, as the Delhi air quality deteriorated and a thick layer of smog took over the Delhi-NCR region. Meanwhile, schools in NCR region have adopted precautionary methods such as masks, air purifiers, offering amla and jaggery to students.
Vishnu Karthik, director of Heritage School in Gurugram, said parents were being encouraged to send their wards to the school. “Our purifiers not only clean the air but also pump fresh oxygen for students. So the quality of air that students breathe in our classrooms is much better than what they will breathe at home,” he said.
Government authorities and schools had also restricted or cancelled all outdoor activities for children, keeping in mind the increasing pollution levels.