The air in Delhi is worsening day by day making it difficult for people to survive. Hence Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a meeting today decided to shut all the primary schools in Delhi from Saturday (5 November) due to the deteriorating air quality which could be dangerous for children.
The decision comes a day after Noida, a nearby city, instructed schools to continue holding online lessons for primary students till November 8.
Kejriwal further mentioned that until the air quality improves, all schools in the national capital region will remain closed. All outdoor activities for all classes above Class 5 have also been suspended until further notice.
Gopal Rai, Minister of Environment for Delhi later announced that 50% of the government employees in various departments will be working from home. The minister also advised private offices to follow it. He said that entry of trucks into the city is already prohibited.
At a news conference Arvind Kejriwal along with Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, spoke about the increasing air pollution. The two ministers accepted that excessive farm residue burning is one big reason for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
The Delhi Chief minister stated that they are making every possible effort to tackle the pollution crisis. He said that the government will also consider whether to use the odd-even strategy for automobiles.
He added that the schools will reopen once Delhi's air quality improves and the government will inform students about it in advance.
Kejriwal in a tweet said "See pollution in North Indian towns. It's not just Punjab and Delhi. The entire North India is suffering from severe air pollution. Let's stop the blame game and find solutions to stop it."
