The education ministry has decided to halt all extracurricular activities for students, amid the recent chickenpox outbreak in the country as well as the fast spreading Novel Coronavirus disease.

In a notice issued to all schools across the country, the ministry said that all such activities have been cancelled from March 1 to May 20.

As such, trips, sports practices and tournaments are to be halted until May, as well as any activities that include the gathering of students. This also includes out of school activities such as fairs, concerts and camps.

In addition, the education ministry has informed all schools to cancel all activities in its 2020 activities calendar for March, April and May.

While all extracurricular activities for students have been halted, authorities have not decided to close schools.

The ministry of education is working together with the health ministry, and vaccination drives are being carried out in schools as well.

While new chickenpox cases were recently reported, the fast spreading COVID-19 is also a concern for parents. However, Maldives is yet to confirm a coronavirus case.