All schools in Delhi to remain closed till November 5 as air pollution continues to rise: Kejriwal

All schools in the national capital will remain closed till November 5 (Tuesday) amid rising pollution in the region, tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday.  

In the wake of rising pollution in Delhi, the government has taken the decision that all schools will remain closed till November 5, Kejriwal said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: All schools in Delhi to remain closed till 5th November, following rise in pollution levels due to stubble burning. pic.twitter.com/hA78req2KK

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2019

Also Read: Public health emergency in Delhi-NCR, declares pollution control body, bans construction work, bursting of firecrackers

With Air Quality Index (AQI) entering the hazardous level in Delhi, the pollution control body on Friday declared a public health emergency in Delhi-NCR and banned construction work, bursting of firecrackers.

Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority: This is a public health emergency as air pollution is now hazardous and will have adverse health impacts on all particularly the children. #DelhiNCR https://t.co/y2SAZlaLBJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2019

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal along with Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia distributed anti-pollution masks to school students. Kejriwal also said that the city has turned into a gas chamber. 

The N95 mask, distributed by the Delhi government to the school students covers the nose & mouth and filters up to 95% of the pollutants.

"The present air quality condition in Delhi is a cause of concern for all. To ensure that students studying in schools of Delhi are not adversely affected due to the current air quality, all the heads of government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools under Directorate of Education are hereby directed to sensitise the parents of the students about the worrisome air quality situation prevailing in and across Delhi and further appeal them to restrain their children from undertaking outdoor activities till severe pollution condition persists," read the circular by the Directorate of Education.