Assemblies, sports suspended in Lucknow schools

LUCKNOW - Morning assemblies, sport activities and other group gatherings will be suspended in all schools in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow district to prevent the spread of swine flu, officials here said Wednesday.

“All formalities for issuing the prohibitory order have been completed. It will be issued today in order to check the spread of the swine flu virus,” additional district magistrate (ADM) J.P. Singh told IANS.

“We will be very strict and ensure that school authorities comply with the order which would categorically mention that FIRs would be registered against those schools that fail to follow the directive,” he added.

Schools in the district, which covers not just Lucknow city but also the nearby towns of Malihabad and Mohanlalganj, will also be directed to make special arrangements to prevent the rush of students at closing hour. Dismissal will be in small batches.

Till now, 150 swine flu cases have been reported in Uttar Pradesh. In Lucknow alone, 40 cases have been confirmed since Monday, officials said.

“Of the 150 confirmed swine flu cases reported from parts of Uttar Pradesh, nearly 100 patients have been discharged,” state Director General (Medical and Health) R.R. Bharti told IANS.

“We are making every possible effort to spread awareness about swine flu.”