Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said all primary schools in the Capital would be shut on Wednesday as the air quality dropped to ‘severe’ category on Tuesday after pollution rose to an alarming level. He also told schools not to conduct outdoor activities, including assemblies, in the open.

Sisodia added that if the pollution levels do not come down, the state government may extend the order till Thursday. He also asked children and elderly people to avoid stepping out.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had asked him to consider closing schools for a few days as the NCR woke up to thick smog on Tuesday. A public health emergency was declared after the air quality dropped to the “severe” category.

Ghaziabad district magistrate also asked all schools in the district to remain shut on Wednesday and Thursday, reported ANI. The Haryana government also decided to revise the timings of all government-aided and unaided private schools to 9 am-3.30 pm till November 30, PTI reported.