Delhi’s lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday said that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will consider allowing schools in the city to resume in-person classes for students of classes 6 to 8 after the festive season.

Baijal said in a series of tweets, “Chaired the 25th meeting of DDMA to review the COVID19 situation in Delhi… As suggested by the experts, it was decided to consider opening middle school classes 6-8, after the festive season. All the stakeholders were called upon to work in a coordinated manner towards ensuring adequate preparedness for tackling any future challenges.”

Currently schools are allowed to conduct in-person sessions for students in classes 9 and above. Senior DDMA officials, however, did not clarify what exactly they mean by “festive season”. This year Dussehra will be celebrated on October 15, Diwali on November 4 and Chhat Puja on November 10.

Baijal also said in his tweets, “After detailed discussion with experts the need to strictly follow & enforce COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) was emphasized upon especially in wake of the upcoming festive season to prevent any resurgence of infection. It was suggested that community engagement and support to this effect should be ensured by way of an integrated campaign particularly in the vernacular languages. The Health Department was advised to ensure adequate availability of beds, medicines, oxygen etc to tackle any emergent situation and to enhance the pace and coverage of vaccination by way of greater outreach through mobile vaccination units and campaign activities with special focus on vulnerable population.”

While Baijal is the chairperson of DDMA, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is its vice chairperson.

Wednesday’s meeting was attended by Delhi’s health minister Satyendar Jain, revenue minister Kailash Gahlot, chief secretary Vijay Dev and group of experts that include Dr VK Paul of NITI Aayog, Dr Balram Bhargava of ICMR, Dr Randeep Guleria of AIIMS and Dr SK Singh of NCDC, Baijal said.

Dr Jugal Kishore, head of the community medicines department in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, said: “The government should focus on vaccinating all teaching and non-teaching staff and start schools at the earliest. Cities and states across the world are doing that now. Schools are necessary for well-being of children. Aa far as festivals are concerned, people should not let their guards down just because it is allowed. They should wear masks and avoid crowded places. The viral disease is still spreading in several states. Governments and people should not take risk.”