Guwahati: In a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the Assam government has suspended all offline classes in schools up to Class 8 to control the spread of COVID-19.

The decision was taken due to the COVID-19 situation still being a concern in the state.

Schools with classes up to Class V were ordered to close across the state till Jan 30 excluding the city of Guwahati.

The schools in Guwahati were asked to remain closed for students up to Class VIII.

"Physical instruction in all schools up to class Vlll in all districts shall be suspended and all such educational institutions shall migrate to virtual options until further orders. The situation shall be reviewed regularly and necessary instructions shall be issued by the education department,” the SOP said.

Meanwhile on Monday, 5,902 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in the state out of 56,519 tests conducted.

The positivity rate stood at 10.44%.

Out of the total new cases, Guwahati alone counted for 1,044 cases.

There were 15 COVID-19 related deaths on Monday.