Telangana: No Decision yet on Schools Reopening

The Telangana government released a set of guidelines on October 7, 2020, under 'Unlock 5'. However, the state government didn’t decide yet to reopen schools and coaching institutions.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar released the Government Order that they will release separate orders related to the reopening of schools, coaching institutions, and colleges.

Check: Telangana: Final-Year Exams to be Held Offline for 90 Percent of Students

The statement mentioned that colleges/higher education institutions shall continue with online/distance learning and is the adopted teaching mode and shall be encouraged among the students.

Furthermore, higher education institutions are allowed to open from October 15, 2020, including research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students of technical and professional courses - requiring laboratory/experimental works.

Read: Unlock 5.0: States to Decide on Reopening of Schools after October 15

Along with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 30, 2020, to resume more prohibited activities in areas outside containment zones and to strengthen the measures related to lockdown in the state, the Telangana government also released the guidelines on Wednesday. 

Unlock 5 Guidelines

All activities before the introduction of lockdown measures will be permitted in areas outside containment zones. However, standard operating procedures (SoPs) must be followed during certain activities. 

Swimming pools will be operative from October 15, 2020, only for the training of sportspersons, and the government will issue SOPs for the same.

The government will release SOPs for Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions that will be allowed from October 15, 2020.

Read: No Plans to Reopen Schools Anytime Soon during the COVID-19 pandemic, confirms Karnataka Education Minister

Social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/political functions and other congregations will be allowed with a maximum of 100 people outside containment zones adhering to health protocol including wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning, and hand wash or sanitizer and social distancing.

Check: Telangana Exams: HC Suggests State Government to Stick to Either Online or Offline Mode

Strict lockdown would be taken until October 31 in containment zones. The authority would allow only essential activities.

Also, the guidelines stated, buffer zones would be marked outside the containment zones, where new cases are more likely to increase. 

Within the buffer zones, the district authorities will add restrictions, where considered necessary.