KABUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government has postponed the start of the educational year due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, according to a statement of the Presidential Palace received Sunday.
As a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the virus in the country, the government has decided to postpone the start of educational year for one month, and all the government departments and private schools, universities and educational centers would remain closed during the period.
The new educational year was supposed to commence on March 22.
The statement of the Presidential Palace also noted that the pause could be extended depending on the situation. It also called upon all government and private entities to avoid holding conferences.
The government has also cancelled the celebration of Nawroz or Afghan New Year in Persian calendar falling on March 20.
Afghanistan Public Health ministry has so far confirmed 16 cases of COVID-19 and the number of suspected cases is on the rise.
