The government has decided to close all schools in city areas until May 14, starting from Tuesday.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday morning decided to close schools in the city areas that have seen a surge in Covid-19 cases, until the end of the Nepali month of Baisakh, according to Urban Development Minister Prabhu Sah.

“An order on Covid-19 control has also been issued. Details regarding the order will be made public later,” said Sah. “The government has also decided to ban gatherings of over 25 people.”

The decision to shut schools comes amid a lot of confusion, created due largely to contradicting statements from the health and education ministries.

While the Health Ministry had advised guardians not to send their children to schools and close schools in 14 districts which were at high risk of Covid-19 infections, the Education Ministry was for running classes.

The Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre on Saturday, however, had recommended that the government order closure of schools until May 14.

According to Sah, the government has decided to shut down schools with a provision of holding online classes.