In response to a growing number of pink eye cases, the Punjab government has taken the decision to temporarily close schools across the province. The move comes after a surprise visit by the Caretaker Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, to a girls’ high school on Ravi Road, where both male and female students with conjunctivitis were found attending classes in spite of government directives.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, the Chief Minister promptly summoned the school secretary and instructed that Thursday and Saturday be declared holidays for both private and government schools. During his visit, students voiced their concerns about the lack of electricity and fans in the school.
A public holiday has been declared for both private and government schools on Thursday, and schools will also remain closed on Friday in observance of Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Following the weekend, schools will reopen on Monday. On that day, teachers will conduct health checks on children at the time of admission. Any students showing signs of conjunctivitis will be asked to return home. This holiday will be in effect throughout the entire province.
Earlier, the Punjab government issued a warning to schools across the province in light of the rising cases of pink eye infections. The Schools Education Authority has advised schools to dedicate a special period for educating students about the infection and measures to prevent its spread. Teachers are encouraged to explain the causes of the infection and share precautionary measures during this time.
The health department has already issued safety guidelines for dealing with the disease. The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department in Punjab has released an advisory as cases of pink eye infections continue to rise in various cities across the province. They note that this is a viral disease transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and hand-to-eye contact. Recovery from it typically takes eight to ten days. Symptoms include increased tear production, eye pain, redness, and itching. People are advised to use eye drops only after consulting with a doctor.
Lahore, in particular, has seen a surge in patients affected by conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the transparent membrane lining the eyelid and eyeball. This outbreak followed similar incidents in various cities of Sindh, including Karachi. The Health Department has also issued guidelines to all district authorities, emphasizing the importance of hand sanitizers and urging people to avoid touching their eyes without first washing their hands.
