Health Ministry issues SOPs for Reopening Schools, Higher Education Institutions; Read Details

The Health Ministry has issued detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for educational institutions to reopen following Unlock 4 .0 guidelines. Prior to resuming, all utility areas will be sanitised with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite. Read details below.

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The Ministry of Health and family welfare has recently issued detailed SOPs for a partial reopening of schools. Students of classes 9-12 after receiving voluntary guidance from teachers can attend classes. 

The officials prepared these SOPs in tune with MHA Unlock 4.0 guidelines that are in effect from September 1, 2020. 

However, students can enter school premises on submitting written consent of parents or guardians. 

Home Ministry affirmed state and Union territories governments can allow 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be present in school at a time. They can take online classes and continue with tele-consulting or related work from September 21. 

Detailed SOPs for Reopening Schools

For students of classes 9-12 demanding voluntary guidance from teachers can go to school, provided they are not from containment zones. The SOP directs students to avoid handling personal items like notebook, pens, pencil, erasers and water bottles.

Staggering guidance has been provided that entails schools have to provide different time slots for students and frequently disinfectant public places. This will allow maintaining maximum physical distance and avoid contraction. 

Students, teachers and staff have to wear masks or face covers, maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet and wash or sanitize hands frequently. 

Teachers, staff and students from contaminants zones cannot enter schools neither schools in containment zones can open.

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Prior to resuming classes, SOPS mandate utility areas and frequently touched surfaces have to be sanitised with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. The administration should register contactless attendance. 

Teacher-student interaction should be practised in open areas if weather permits. As of now, sports, events, and assembles are prohibited to avoid gatherings. Swimming pools are closed but lockers can be used only if frequent disinfection is done. 

SOPs for Reopening Higher Education Institutions 

The Ministry also released COVID-19 preventive measures for higher education institutions that offer postgraduate, doctoral and professional training courses.

Higher education institutions away from containment zones can reopen, while staff, teachers and students from containment cannot enter premises. 

Universities that offer PhD courses and require continuing laboratory work will be permitted only after consultation of the education department with the Ministry of Health.

Universities and colleges have to prepare academic calendars in a way that avoids overcrowding. Classes have to be continued in a staggered manner.

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CPWD guidelines suggest air conditioning or ventilation should set class temperature in the range of 24-30 degree Centigrade. 40%-70% humidity should be maintained and classes should have enough cross ventilation. 

Daily and frequent cleaning of touched surfaces with 1% hypochlorite solution are mandatory. 

COVID-19 Preventive Measures for Residential Areas of Students 

Residential areas like hostels, residential complexes or guest houses should follow sanitation measures as of schools and colleges. 

Only those students who are not local residents and cannot access online teaching facilities will be prioritised for facilitating hostel rooms. 

Students from distant places have to undergo 14 days of quarantine before attending classes. Only asymptomatic students will be allowed to enter hostels who have to be isolated in designated facilities with medications.

Staggered meal timings have to be set in hostels to avoid overcrowding. Shared rooms and dormitories should have beds arranged at least 6 feet apart. 

Hence, students need to contact their respective colleges, and hostel administration before planning to return.