The government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the state, government as well as private, till March 31.

The chief minister’s office issued a release on Saturday announcing the shutdown. Only “board examinations will be held as per schedule”, the release said. The ICSE, ISC, CBSE and state Higher Secondary exams are on.

The Higher Secondary council clarified on Saturday night that Class XI exams in schools will be held on schedule as they are “considered board exams”.

The government release earlier in the day said: “In view of the evolving situation on the spread of novel coronavirus (covid-19), the advisories issued by WHO, the UN and the central government and as a matter of abundant precaution to check its spread in the Bengal, it has been decided that all government, government-aided, private educational institutions — schools, colleges, universities, madarsas, SSK/MSK (Shishu Shiksha Kendra/Madhyamik Sikha Kendra) — will remain closed from March 16-31 in public interest. The internal examinations of these institutions will also remain suspended during the said duration. However, the board examinations would be held as per schedule.”

The total number of coronavirus patients in the country, including foreign nationals, stood at 84 on Saturday evening.

No one has been detected with the coronavirus in Bengal (till Saturday evening).

“There is no reason to panic or be scared. We have taken a precautionary step so that there is no problem.

One should remember that if it’s a simple cough and cold one should not think it’s the coronavirus. But if there’s fever and shortness of breath, one should consult a doctor,” chief minister Mamata Banerjee told ABP Ananda.

“In case of children, they are often not mature enough to practise hygiene. So, as a precaution we have given a notice to schools, colleges and universities to shut down. This is a precautionary step because so many children in schools would mean a large gathering. Even in colleges, exams have been suspended. We have asked private schools to declare a holiday,” the chief minister said.

She said the government would review the situation on March 30 and decide the next course of action.

Several schools had internal exams scheduled next week. They have been deferred till further notice. Many schools texted parents about the closure.

Teachers associated with board exams will have to go to schools, though.

Doctors had earlier told Metro that it was advisable not to expose children to unnecessary public gatherings and not to send them to schools and to avoid unnecessary travel.

South Point school had already given a week’s off to students on Friday. It has now been extended till the government takes a decision.

South City International School was one of the first to suspend classes for students up to Class II.