Karnataka Colleges Resume After Months Of Shutdown; Here’s How Classes Will Be Held Amid Covid-19

Karnataka colleges have started classes after being shut since the beginning of the pandemic. Here's how things will be different on campuses due to Covid-19.

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New Delhi: After months of shutdown due to coronavirus pandemic, colleges in Karnataka are set to resume from today. The state government had recently issued a notification to reopen the degree, engineering, and diploma colleges in Karnataka from November 17. The decision was taken as the pandemic was taking a toll on education and many students were facing problems attending online classes due to lack of facilities. Preparations such as sanitisation of the college premises using disinfectants were also undertaken Several precautions are in place due to the coronavirus pandemic and students and staff have to adhere to strict protocols. The state government has also issued an SOP for the reopening of colleges. Some of the Covid 19 arrangements include

• Classes will continue in mixed mode. Physical classes and exams are optional and students can continue with online classes
• Parental consent is necessary to attend classes.
• Karnataka government has made COVID-19 negative certificates compulsory for students and staff.
• Maintaining a safe physical distance from classmates
• Only final year undergraduate and postgraduate students to be allowed

Earlier this month, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had also released guidelines on the measures to be taken before re-opening of campus. The academic body had given several steps such as mandatory use of face covers/masks, frequent handwashing with soap, the prohibition of spitting, and others as precaution against Covid-19. The UGC had also said that before reopening of any campus, the Central or the concerned State Government must have declared the area safe for reopening of educational institutions.