This Article is From Aug 10, 2009

After 4 deaths, Pune shuts down for a week

New Delhi:

Pune, the city that reported the country's first swine flu death, now seems to be pulling out all stops to reign in the virus.

All schools and colleges in the city will be shut for a week and all theatres have been closed down for three days starting Monday, after the city reported its fourth swine flu death.

Private coaching classes also have to stay shut for seven days.

"Starting today till August 17, all schools, colleges and private classes in and around Pune will remain shut. Out of these 7 days for the first three we are shutting all theatres too. We will take a decision on whether or not to extend this beyond three days later," Maharashtra's Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar said.

During the time when they are closed these places will be sterilized. The government has also advised people to avoid malls.

The state government says the Diwali and Christmas vacations will be reduced to make up for the loss of studies. People have also been advised to avoid crowded public places, and political parties have been asked not to have large gatherings in the next seven days.

Meanwhile, the central government has sent 1 lakh Tamiflu pills to Pune.

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