BMC on Friday changed its previous decision concerning reopening of schools. Schools will remain shut till December 31 , a change from earlier decision reopening schools on November 23 as the city gained COVID-19 patients post Diwali period recording 409 new cases as on November 16. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the city. Some schools were used as testing and quarantine facilities amid the pandemic. To prevent further spread of the infection, we have decided to keep schools closed till December 31″, said Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar.