Schools across the greater Malé region are to resume physical classes for students from grades seven and eight, the Ministry of Education has revealed.

The ministry revealed its decision to resume physical classes for grade eight students in the Maldives capital, from October 19, under the instructions and guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Classes for students from the seventh grade will resume on October 25.

Physical classes are currently only being held for grades 11 to 12 who are exempt from online classes.

Dr. Nazla Rafeeq, spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) has revealed that there is no additional threat, at a time the ministry has decided to resume classes for students of other grades.

Classes will be resuming under a set of special guidelines established by HPA, in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that is far from being controlled in the populous capital city.

On September 17, the ministry stated that schools in the capital region will remain closed for two more weeks

The decision was reached following consultation with relevant health authorities and came amid an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases in the island nation during August.

Although schools in the region were to be reopened on August 9, the decision was reversed earlier and the period has been extended several times round.

Since August 4, schools have been conducting online classes for students. The decision will be reversed if any improvements are seen in the daily rise of Covid-19 cases, after the two-week period ends.

All schools and educational institutions were closed across the Maldives due to the pandemic, however, schools were reopened across islands free of Covid-19, with the exemption of the capital region on July 1, under the third phase of the lockdown ease plan.

The ministry earlier noted that they will always prioritize the health and safety of students and that they believe it is in the best interest of students to remain at home with their families, during this time of crisis. Students, parents, guardians and teachers have been urged to pay special heed to hygiene practices as well as the instructions provided by the HPA and other relevant authorities. Measures implemented include enforcing the use of face masks at all times, making arrangements for students to wash their hands as well as thermal screening and social distancing.