As per the official announcement, colleges and universities in Uttar Pradesh are all set to reopen for physical or in-person classes for students from 23rd November 2020. As part of the several precautionary measures against COVID-19, the state government has allowed only 50% of students to attend classes on rotational basis after reopening of colleges. Colleges and Universities in the state of Uttar Pradesh will reopen for in-person classes after a period of 8 months. All educational institutions, including higher education institutes, were closed down in the state in March 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak.
College, University Reopening Guidelines Released
In line with the state government’s decision to reopen colleges and universities; the state government has issued guidelines and the necessary SOPs to ensure safety of students, teachers and other staff members on campus. Recently, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Monika Garg issued the necessary orders to all district magistrates and registrars of universities, directing higher educational institutions to resume classes in a phased manner to avoid crowding on campuses.
50% Attendance on Rotational Basis
As part of the guidelines, the state government has proposed that colleges and universities should be reopened only in phased manner with only 50% attendance on rotational basis. Apart from this, other guidelines issued by the state government include wearing face masks, using hand sanitizers, and maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. All higher education institutions have been asked to make arrangements for thermal screening of students and staff members as well as to ensure that hand washbasins are available to the students and staff members, both. Moreover, students attending in-person classes will not be allowed to share books, notes, and laptops as well, as suggested in the precautionary guidelines. Students, teachers, and staff who are living in the containment zones will not be allowed to enter the institutions.