The West Bengal government has decided to set up on-campus vaccination camps in government and private schools from January 3. Source: Shutterstock
Schools and colleges in West Bengal will remain closed from January 3 because of the surge in COVID cases over the past few days.
Only administrative activities will be allowed in educational institutions with 50% of employees at a time, West Bengal chief secretary Hari Krishna Dwivedi has announced.
The announcement is part of a new set of restrictions issued by the West Bengal government that will be in place from January 3 to January 15.
Those aged 15-18 years can enrol and book vaccination slots on Co-Win or simply walk into a centre for a shot. They can register using their school ID cards as identity proof. The Bengal government has agreed to these terms ahead of the start of a vaccination drive for around 48 lakh youngsters on January 3. Vaccination camps will also be set up in government and private schools.
On January 1, West Bengal recorded more than 4,500 COVID cases — a 10-fold increase in six days. The daily infection rate in the state has crossed 12%. In Kolkata alone, the number of daily cases has exceeded 2,000. Infection is increasing rapidly in Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24-Parganas as well.