Tamil Nadu To Allow Only Vaccinated Students Inside Colleges, Health Minister Urges To Follow COVID Norms

The Tamil Nadu government took the decision after nine students of a Chennai college tested positive for COVID-19.

A health worker screening the body temperature of a woman (Image for representation)

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Health Department requested Higher Education Ministry on Friday to permit only students who are inoculated into colleges and universities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Tamil Nadu government took the decision after nine students of a Chennai college tested positive for COVID-19. 

According to PTI, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the students and institutions should practice COVID-19 etiquettes including wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. They should also ensure that classes are conducted on a rotational basis.

Citing that nine students tested positive for COVID-19 in Anna University, the Minister said, the Higher Education Ministry should issue a notice that only vaccinated students will be allowed to enter the colleges.

The educational institutions should only use disposable plates for serving food, the Minister said and added, the institutions have been insisted to refrain from conducting cultural or other activities with mass crowds. 

For conducting graduation ceremonies, the institution should receive permission before in hand and they should conduct them by following all standard operating procedures, the Minister added. 

Earlier, one student tested positive for COVID-19 at Anna University campus hostel on Wednesday, and nearly 300 other persons from the hostel were tested for the virus. Of the total, nine persons tested positive for novel coronavirus. The remaining 763 students will also be tested for the virus, the Minister said.