The Punjab government has announced the closure of schools from primary to higher secondary levels, namely 12th grade, until November 17, while also mandating the use of masks for all individuals.

The closure will also affect schools teaching O and A levels classes, a government notification said on Wednesday.

Punjab Minister Marriyum Arangzeb announced the measure at a press conference and then a notification was issued by the director general of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Imran Hamid Shaikh.

The notification said educational institutions would switch to online teaching between November 7 and November 17.

“… all the educational institutions including private tuition centers (public private) upto Higher Secondary Level (12th grade/A-level) shall remain closed and will shift to online mode,” read the notification and added,“ This order shall come into force with effect from 7th November, 2024 (Thursday) and remain in force till 17th November 2024(Sunday) within the territorial jurisdiction of Lahore, Gujranawala, Faisalabad and Multan Divisions, i.e., district of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, and Khanewal.“

Meanwhile, during a press conference in Lahore, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that various departments are actively working to combat smog, and a control room equipped with advanced technology has been set up to monitor the Air Quality Index.

Aurangzeb highlighted that the burning of crop residues is a significant factor contributing to the worsening smog, and despite a ban on plastic bags, violations continue to occur.

She warned that individuals not wearing masks are at risk of inhaling harmful methane.

The minister also recommended shifting girls to online education, noting that deteriorating air quality in Indian regions, such as Rajasthan, has impacted cities like Multan and Gujranwala, with Lahore’s Air Quality Index surpassing one thousand.

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She further stated that in both government and private offices, only 50% of staff will be permitted to work on-site, and virtual meetings will be mandated in government offices.

The requirement for mask usage will be enforced across all sectors, with expectations that the smog’s severity will continue for at least the next ten days.