Closure over,schools,colleges multiplexes open on Monday

Schools,colleges,cinema halls and malls in Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas will reopen on Monday after a two-week closure. District Collector Chandrakant Dalvi issued a notice to this effect on Saturday. On August 11,it was decided to close all schools,colleges,cinema halls and malls for a week,and the closure was later extended by another week.

“There will be normal functioning of schools and colleges Monday onwards. We are requesting parents that if their children show any symptoms like cold,cough,throat ache they should not be sent to school. We will not ask any child to come with a mask. If any child is found sneezing or showing symptoms,he/she should be sent back home. Teachers should keep a strict vigil,” said Dalvi at a press meet. Dalvi said he has also requested schools to refrain from holding daily assembly and any other gatherings.

The decision to close schools and colleges was taken considering the increased risk of H1N1. Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar had announced the closure of multiplexes and cinema halls after a high-level meeting organised by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan where he had authorised the district administrations to take appropriate steps.

City toll at 20
The city recorded its 20th swine flu death on Saturday with a 60-year-old man succumbing to the virus. Baban Hangude was admitted in a serious condition to Sassoon Hospital on August 19. Earlier,he was admitted at Sahyadri Hospital for pneumonia and tested positive for H1N1 there itself. He was later shifted to Sassoon Hospital.