The provincial government announced the development in a tweet on Tuesday.

“It is hereby notified that all Public and Private Schools/Educational Institutions in following districts of Punjab shall remain closed for winter vacations w.e.f 23rd [of] December 2021 to 6th [of] January 2022: Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Sheikhupura, Okara, Vehari, Khanewal, Lahore, Khushab, Hafizabad, Multan, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, MB Din, Sialkot, Nankana Sahib, and Jhang,” it read.

The official handout added that following the directives of National Command and Operation Centre the ongoing vaccination campaign in schools – including all public and private schools/educational institutions – in the below mentioned districts would remain closed for winter vacations from January 3 to January 13.

The districts named are: Jhelum, Mianwali, Attock, Muzzaffargarh, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi, Rajanpur, Layyah, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Chiniot.

Moreover, the winter vacation announcement is the same for all the Higher Education Institutions. The Punjab Higher Education Department issued a notification in this regard.

The authorities have urged the teaching and non-teaching staff and students to ensure 100 per cent vaccination in the wake of the “increasing number of Omicron cases.” They warned that in case of noncompliance the authorities concerned would be held responsible.