As announced in an order by the Additional Chief Secretary of the state government, colleges and universities across Uttar Pradesh are resuming offline classes starting today. The directive encompasses a SOP and guidelines, that will ensure that the classes are being held in line with covid protocols. The educational institutions will reopen with only 50% attendance and students, on a roster basis, can attend the class in any enclosed area.
Universities have also been allowed to reopen hostels
A maximum of 200 students can attend the class at any given time and the classes will be held in a phased manner to avoid crowding on campuses. It is also mandatory for all students to wear masks, use hand sanitizers and maintain social distancing to curb the spread of the virus.
According to the issued guidelines, the universities and colleges have to make provision for thermal scanning and hand wash for students and staff. At the entry points, educational institutions must avoid overcrowding of students and that they may enter through a disciplined queue. In the classrooms, students will be required to sit at a six feet distance and they will not be allowed to share books, notes, laptops or any other item. Universities have also been allowed to reopen hostels where all health protocols can be followed.
Along with these regulations, the vice-chancellors and principals of the colleges and universities have been requested to lay down the Standard Operating Procedures for their respective institutes. The state has also suggested that all the institutes can partner up with nearby hospitals and NGOs working in the health sector to bring down the virus and its reach.