J&K Allows Higher Educational Institutions To Resume Offline Classes

Source: NDTV Education

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday granted permission to higher educational institutions to resume offline classes provided all staff members and students are fully vaccinated, over four months after shutting them owing to the second wave of COVID-19.

The administration, however, extended the closure of schools and coaching centres till further orders. It also decided to dispense with the mandatory testing for Covid-19 at the entry point to the Union Territory at Lakhanpur for those who have received both dosages of vaccine and allow entry of vaccinated persons into public parks.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A K Mehta. It was decided to retain most of the Covid-19-containment guidelines, including night curfew, and the district magistrates were directed to strictly ensure that there is full compliance with Covid-appropriate behaviour and defaulters are firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code.

In an order issued after a detailed review of the COVID-19 situation with a focus on total weekly new cases (per million), total positivity rate, bed occupancy, case fatality rate and vaccination coverage of the targeted population, Mr. Mehta who is also the chairperson of the State Executive Committee (SEC) said all schools and coaching centres would continue to remain closed for onsite or in-person teaching till further orders.

Also read: Himachal Pradesh Schools to Stay Closed Till August 28