Chennai, August 6(BPNS)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin has on Friday extended lockdown will August 23. The government has also decided to open schools in the state for classes IX, X, XII, XII on September 1. The new lockdown rules will come into effect from August 9.

The state school education department has been directed to commence the preliminary work, Chief Minister’s office said.

Stalin said that the government has decided to reopen schools considering the view of several experts that closing of schools for many months have caused depression in children. The statement also said that several students were facing difficulties as they don’t have access to online education.

Chief Minister in a statement said that the schools will open with 50% of the students at a time in these sections by following Standard operating procedures.

The statement also said that all nursing schools and medical colleges would be allowed to function from August 16. Chief Minister also said that Public worship will be prohibited in all places of worship on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.