The Haryana government has temporarily closed all schools for students up to Class 5 due to worsening air pollution levels. An official statement indicated that online classes might soon be mandated for both government and private schools. This follows Delhi’s move to shift primary classes to online learning earlier this week.
Jind, Haryana, recorded air quality in the “severe” category, while other areas in the state and neighboring Punjab saw AQI levels ranging from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor.’ Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ zone for the fourth consecutive day, with an AQI of 407 reported at 9 am on Saturday.
These measures align with Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management.
On Friday, the Delhi government imposed additional restrictions, banning BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, with violators facing a ₹20,000 fine. Entry of inter-state diesel and petrol buses from NCR cities into Delhi was also prohibited, along with specific construction activities. Furthermore, government office timings were adjusted to mitigate the crisis.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi had announced earlier that schools up to Class 5 would transition to online learning indefinitely. Authorities are also implementing precautionary measures for older students, including mandatory N95 mask usage.