The Uttar Pradesh government has announced reopening of schools from October 19. The schools situated outside containment zones will reopen after remaining shut for over six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The govt has said that in the first phase classes 9 to 12 will start and schools will be run in two shifts to ensure student safety. Social distancing and proper sanitisation of premises will have to be followed by schools, the state has said. It further stated that a maximum of 50 per cent students should be called in a day and remaining 50 per cent the following day. Students will only be allowed to attend classes after furnishing written permission from their parents or guardians, the government said.