ISLAMABAD (Nationaltimesnews) – Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday announced closure of all public and private educational institutions in seven major cities of Punjab from March 15 to March 28.Talking to media persons along with SAPM on Health Dr. Faisal SUltan after a meeting of National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the minister said that all educational institutions in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Multan and Sialkot will remain close for two weeks for Spring break.Shafqat Mahmood also said that all educational insitututions in Islamabad, Peshawar and Muzaffarabad will also remain close for two weeks.He clarified that the new orders will not be applicable on institutions which are going through exams.The minister further said that situation of coronavirus pandemic is under control in Balochistan and Sindh so educational institutions in these provinces will follow policy of 50 percent attendance.He said the provincial governments will continue monitoring the situation about the pandemic and they can decide about closure of any institution on the basis of facts. He said the NCOC will also be constantly monitoring the situation.Speaking on the occasion, SAPM Faisal Sultan said that coronavirus cases are increasing in the country and urged administrative departments to enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding coronavirus.The SAPM further said that the policy of smart lockdown and micro-smart lockdown in targeted areas and ban on holding marriage ceremonies in covered areas will continue across the country.