Govt. says schools will likely reopen next week

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The government says schools, that were temporarily closed, will likely reopen next week.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing today Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the Commander of the Army and the Director General of Health Services has assured that the coronavirus cluster from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre has been identified and had been brought under control.

Minister Gunawardana accordingly said school examinations will also be held.

He said the President and the Cabinet of Ministers discussed concerns regarding schools and exams.

The Minister added a decision was reached to close schools for a week after Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said certain parties would protest and instil fear in children, saying that one or two students might test positive for the virus.

He vowed that the government will follow health guidelines and hopefully reopen schools next week.

Minister Gunawardana noted that the Director General of Health Services and the Army Commander have both guaranteed the government, that the coronavirus cluster has been identified and controlled.