The Mizoram government has decided to reopen the state's churches from February, which have remained closed for nearly 10 months due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The government, however, has made it clear that only a limited number of people would be allowed entry into the Churches and that everyone will need to follow strict COVID-19 protocols.

It also informed that churches would be opened on every Saturday at noon for Sabbath followers and on every Sunday at noon for other denominations.

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The government made it clear that churches would remain close and offer no service on the remaining days of the week.

It may be mentioned here that churches in Mizoram have remained closed since March 22, 2020, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 infection.

In a meeting held on January 15, 2021, the Mizoram government also decided to reopen schools for Class X and XII from January 22, 2021.

Attended by several state ministers, it was also decided in the meeting that the teachers and students will have to follow strict COVID protocols.

The Mizoram government further informed that it intends to reopen the hostels as well, however, students will have to undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before a student steps either to a school or a hostel premise.

The government, however, decided not to open schools for the students of other lower classes.

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"Classes X and Class XII students will sit for board exams in April and the results will be declared in June," informed Mizoram school education department director James Lalrinchhana.

In the meeting, it was further decided to raise the numbers of attendees in funerals and weddings, apart from deciding to relax the timing of night curfew.

The government also decided to partially relax the SOPs for hotels, gymnasiums, shops and other business establishments along with traffic and sporting facilities.