NEW DELHI, Sept 8:
Union Health Ministry today issued guidelines for re-opening of higher educational institutions as well as skill training centres and partial re-opening of schools for classes 9-12 on voluntary basis from September 21.
Higher educational institutions as well as skill training centres can resume their classes from September 21, while implementing staggered classroom activities with separate time slots, mandatory six feet distance between desks and carry out disinfection of premises, among other COVID-19 safety measures.
The guidelines, issued by the ministry, said that seating arrangement should be done in a way to ensure a distance of six feet between chairs and desks.
“Staggering of classroom activities to be done, with separate timing slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of classroom premises. Academic scheduling should have an intermix of regular classroom teaching and online teaching and assessments,” the ministry said.
In shared rooms and dormitories, the guidelines said, beds should be placed at a distance of six feet from each other.
“Temporary partitions may be considered, if feasible. Any symptomatic student should be immediately given a single room and then provided requisite medical care,” the guidelines said.
“Mess facility, if any within the premises, shall follow physical distancing norms at all times. Staggering of meal timings may be done to prevent overcrowding. Hostels should be out of bound for all persons except essential staff with known health status,” the ministry said.
The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all faculty, employees, students and visitors at these places at all times, according to the guidelines.
These measures include physical distancing of at least six feet, use of face covers or masks, frequent hand washing with soap and use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, they said.
“Institutions conducting skill or entrepreneurship training, higher educational institutions conducting doctoral courses and post-graduate studies shall specifically ensure online and distance learning continue to be permitted and encouraged, skill or entrepreneurship training will be permitted with effect from September 21, and higher educational institutions conducting Ph.D or technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory and experimental works will be permitted by Department of Higher Education in consultation with MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) strictly following guidelines as indicated in the SOPs,” the ministry said in its guidelines.
The guidelines said such institutions will only be allowed to open if they are outside containment Zones. Further, students and staff living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend the institution, the ministry said.
“Students and staff shall also be advised not to visit areas falling within containment Zones,” it said.
Prior to resumption of activities, the guidelines said, all work areas intended for conducting skill or entrepreneurship training, doctoral courses and post graduate studies, hostels, laboratories, other common utility areas have to be sanitised with one per cent sodium hypochlorite solution.
“Wherever skill based training on equipments are envisaged to be utilised, place the equipment six feet apart, wherever feasible, to facilitate physical distancing. Similarly, utilise any outdoor space by relocating equipment outside like in verandah, courtyard, shed, etc,” the ministry said in the guidelines.
The guidelines further said the academic calendar shall be planned with a view to avoid overcrowding and congregation.
“As far as possible, the academic calendar should promote a mix of regular classes and online teaching and training, assessments. The day-wise, time-wise scheduling of teaching/training activities may be done in a staggered manner so as to avoid overcrowding at any one location on any day,” it said.
“For practical activities in laboratories maximum capacity per session based on redesigned spaces, may be planned and scheduled accordingly,” the ministry added.
Meanwhile, Disallowing sharing of notebooks, pens/pencils, water bottles etc among students, prohibition of assemblies and sports, encouraging online learning, entry of asymptomatic persons are some of the Health Ministry’s guidelines for partial reopening of schools for students of classes 9th to 12th from September 21 on a voluntary basis.
However, written consent of the students’ parents or guardians will be required and such visits for teacher-student interactions must be organized in a staggered manner, the guidelines stated.
According to the ‘SOP for partial reopening of Schools for students of 9th to 12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers: In the context of COVID-19’, a seating arrangement has to be made to ensure a distance of 6 feet between chairs, desks etc and the teaching faculty will ensure that they themselves and students wear masks throughout the conduct of the teaching/guidance activities.
“Sharing of items like notebook, pens/pencil, eraser, water bottle etc. Amongst students should not be allowed. Cafeteria/mess facility, if any within the premises, shall remain closed,” the SOPs stated.
For ensuring queue management inside and outside the premises, specific markings on the floor with a gap of 6 feet may be made.
Similarly, physical distancing shall also be maintained in staff rooms, office areas including reception area, and other places such as mess, libraries, cafeterias, etc.
Weather permitting, outdoor spaces may be utilized for conducting teacher-student interactions, keeping in view the safety and security of students and physical distancing protocols, the guidelines said.
The concerned teaching and non-teaching employees (up to 50 per cent of the strength) may be called to schools for online teaching/tele-counselling and related work.
“Installation and use of the Aarogya Setu App may be advised wherever feasible,” the SOPs said.
Appropriate back-up stock of personal protection items like face covers/masks, visors, hand sanitizers etc shall be made available by management to the teachers and employees, it said.
“Provide an adequate supply of thermal guns, alcohol wipes or 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solutions and disposable paper towels, soap, IEC materials on COVID. Pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation levels of any symptomatic person must be arranged,” the guidelines stated.
The guidelines also call for ensuring regular counselling for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Entrance should have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
For conduct of skill-based training in workshops/laboratories, a floor area of 4 square metre per person should be made available for working on equipment or work stations.
Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1 pc sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) to be made mandatory in all class rooms, laboratories, lockers, parking areas, other common areas etc. Before beginning of classes and at the end of the day, the guidelines stated.
“All employees who are at higher risk i.e. Older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the students,” the guidelines said.
If transportation facility is being managed by the school, proper physical distancing, sanitization of buses/other transport vehicles (with 1% sodium hypochlorite) shall be ensured.
Prior to resumption of activities, all work areas intended for teaching/demonstrations etc., including laboratories, other common utility areas shall be sanitized with 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution, with particular attention to frequently touched surfaces.
Schools that were used as quarantine centres will be properly sanitized and deep cleaned before partial functioning is resumed.
In case a student/teacher/ employee develops symptoms, the ill person should be in a room or area where they are isolated from others and the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) should be informed. (PTI)
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