Coronavirus update: Kindergarten, primary schools closed in Tamil Nadu till 31 March

In view of the novel coronavirus outbreak worldwide and detection of almost 100 positive cases in other Indian states, the Tamil Nadu government today directed closure of all kintergarden and primary schools till March 31 as it stepped up preventive measures against coronavirus.

The state government has also issued order for closure of cinema halls, malls till the 31 March in the taluks in 16 districts bordering neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka, where the number of coronavirus cases have been reported, the official release said.

Earlier today, Maharashtra government to decided to shut down schools and colleges in the state till 31 March following Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir governments who decided to shutdown schools, colleges and malls to contain the virus.

In a series of measures, Tamil Nadu chief minister K. Palaniswami also ordered released ₹60 crore from the state disaster relief fund to spruce up the preventive mechanism to contain the spread of the coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

Tamil Nadu has only one confirmed case in the state so far. A 45 year old engineer from neighbouring Kancheepuram district is set to be discharged from hospital in coming days as he has recovered and tested negative for COVID-19, the government said.