Lucknow, Dec. 29 -- Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday ordered all schools till Class 12 to be shut until January 1 amid cold conditions in the state.

The order applies to all ICSE, CBSE, and UP Board schools across the state, a government order said, adding that the CM has said the safety of children is "paramount".

In view of the conditions, he has also directed senior government officials to undertake on-the-ground visits and ensure, adequate arrangements for bonfires and blankets at public places in every district.

The CM has also given special instructions to officials regarding the operation of night shelters to ensure that no person in the state should sleep in the open during the cold.

All necessary facilit...