Bengaluru: The state government released standard operating procedures (SOP) for colleges across Karnataka to follow as they are gearing up to reopen from November 17 onwards.
The SOPs were released by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwathnarayan C N on his official Twitter account. “This SOP is a result of extensive consultations with all stakeholders and experts. I urge all Higher Education Institutions, students and parents to cooperate with us in this endeavour,” he wrote.
This SOP is a result of extensive consultations with all stakeholders and experts.
I urge all Higher Education Institutions, students and parents to cooperate with us in this endeavour.
SOP: https://t.co/ieoKOpsyIc
2/2— Dr. Ashwathnarayan C. N. (@drashwathcn) November 9, 2020
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According to the SOPs, the staff and students are to undergo RT-PCR tests three days before the college re-opens. Colleges should, according to the SOPs, must map the closest primary health centres so that staff and students can get tested for free.
Class leaders will be responsible for checking on their fellow students in case any of them display symptoms of COVID-19.
Colleges are not permitted to open canteens and libraries in the first phase of the reopening till further notice. Cultural and other activities will also not be allowed to commence for now.
Some other SOPs include teachers wearing visors and regular spraying and sanitising of door-knobs, lift buttons, handrails, chairs and benches with disinfectants.
The SOPs can be downloaded from here.
Meanwhile, students can choose whether they want to attend the classes online or offline, as announced by the Karnataka government earlier.