The Central government on Tuesday suggested to re-opening of primary schools first as children were “less-susceptible” to Covid-19 infections. This will be done after considering the health situations in every district. 

“So, once India starts considering opening schools, it will be wise to begin with the primary schools, followed by secondary schools,” Indian Council of Medical Research director General Balram Bhargava told Media persons.

He added that the final call will be taken by the respective state governments after factors such as test positivity rate, vaccination of teachers and support staff as well as the public health situation in a particular district has been catered to.

Bhargava said it has been established that children have lower number of ace receptors than adults where the virus attaches itself in the lungs.

“Children can handle viral infection much better,” he said, adding that schools have to ensure that all its teachers and support staff, including bus drivers, are vaccinated before a decision is taken to open schools.

The ICMR chief further added that several European and Scandanavian counties did not shut the primary schools throughout the pandemic.

The re-opening of primary schools first come at a time when few stated had been deciding to open colleges first followed by high schools.

On the other hand, health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, while responding to a debate in the Rajya Sabha said that vaccination trials for children were underway and hoped that they too would be covered under the vaccination drive.

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