In Jammu and Kashmir, the government on Sunday ordered the reopening of 10th and 12th grade schools for vaccinated children, with a 50 percent capacity on any given day. According to an order by Chief Secretary and Chairperson of State Executive Committee (SEC) A K Mehta, the rest of the classes will remain closed for in-person studies.
Following a thorough examination of the present COVID situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the order was issued. Additional Chief Secretaries of Finance and Health and Medical Education, as well as the Principal Secretary (Home), Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other administrative authorities, attended the meeting.
For vaccinated students and staff, the government stated that lessons for 12th class will be permitted with limited in-person teaching not exceeding 50% on any given day.
“All students who wish to attend the school must seek consent from their parents. “If any student, teacher, or other school staffer shows symptoms of cough, cold, or fever, they will not be allowed to enter the school,” it said. “The school premises should be thoroughly sanitized/proper vaccination screening should be done on the school gate,” it added.
It stated that the school’s head of school must guarantee that the standards for social separation and Covid protocols are carefully followed.
Similarly, after due screening through 100 percent Rapid Antigen Lest or RT-PCR, concerned Deputy Commissioners can allow limited in-person teaching of students in the 10th grade, not exceeding 50 percent on any given day, and after ensuring compliance with Covid Appropriate Behaviour by the school authorities, subject to consent of parents and students, according to the order. “The schools will strictly follow Covid related protocols.”
The schools, with the exception of students in the 12th and 10th grades, will remain closed for on-site / in-person teaching, according to the directive.
“Coaching Centres for Civil Services/Engineering/NEET shall be permitted with limited in-person teaching, for fully vaccinated stall and student, subject to condition that the head of the centre shall ensure that the guidelines related to social distancing and Covid protocols are adhered to.”
According to the order, all other Coaching Centres will stay closed for onsite/in-person training.
It said that higher educational institutions would be allowed to begin limited in-person teaching with 100 percent vaccination of staff and students and explicit clearance from appropriate Deputy Commissioners.
“In conjunction with district administration, such institutions can organise special vaccination camps,” it added, adding that “the Head of these institutions must guarantee that the standards linked to social distance and Covid procedures are followed.”
Educational institutions may require vaccinated employees to attend for administrative grounds only.
The State Executive Committee reaffirmed that every indoor/outdoor gathering must be limited to a maximum of 25 individuals. “All District Magistrates and Police Superintendents shall be responsible for ensuring compliance.” The directive further said that there will be no Weekend Curfew in any district.
The order goes on to say that the night curfew will be in effect in all districts from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
“All Deputy Commissioners are required to increase testing by maximising the utilisation of existing RT-PCR and RAT capacities. There will be no reduction in testing standards.”
Mandatory COVID testing can be waived at the Lakhanpur entry point for persons who have got both doses of the vaccination and have a valid source of information, according to the government.
It said the entry into public parks can be permitted to vaccinated persons with due verification.
The government stated that the Deputy Commissioners will focus on the positivity rates of the medical-blocks within their jurisdictions, directing that there be “no drop” in COVID-19 testing levels.
According to the directive, Deputy Commissioners will keep a close eye on positivity rates in blocks and consider enacting tougher control measures in closed clustered areas such as public or private offices, community halls, malls, and bazaars if the weekly positivity rate in these blocks exceeds 4%.
The order stated, “The District Magistrates shall strictly ensure full compliance with COVID appropriate behaviour, and defaulters shall be firmly dealt with under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code,” adding, “The District Magistrates shall constitute joint teams of Police and Executive Magistrates for intensifying enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour.” The joint teams shall submit daily report regarding activities carried out by them and their assessment of compliance level. DCs will intensify the campaigns for ensuring COVID appropriate behaviour. Dedicated IEC, including public announcements through mobile vehicles must be undertaken.”
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The Chenab Times News Desk
