50 pc students per classroom, staggered lunch breaks among DDMA guidelines for reopening of schools
The DDMA has said that students, teachers, and other employees living in COVID-19 containment zones will not be allowed to come to schools and colleges.
Mandatory thermal screening, staggered lunch breaks, alternate seating arrangements in classrooms, and avoiding routine guest visits are among the guidelines announced by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) for reopening schools and colleges from September 1.
The DDMA has said that students, teachers, and other employees living in COVID-19 containment zones will not be allowed to come to schools and colleges.
Following a marked improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the national capital, the Delhi government last week had announced schools for Classes 9 to 12, colleges, and coaching institutions would reopen from September 1.
The Delhi government had clarified that no student would be forced to attend physical classes, and the consent of parents would be mandatory.
"Schools and colleges should prepare a timetable as per occupancy limit of classrooms following COVID-19 norms. A maximum 50 percent students per classroom may be called depending upon capacity. The seating arrangement should be done in such a way that seats are occupied in an alternate manner," read the DDMA guidelines notified on Monday.
"As the situation varies from school to school and college to college, the institutions may stagger the schedule to avoid crowding in classrooms and at main entrance or exit, the DDMA said.
Lunch breaks may also be staggered and preferably be held in open areas as students will remove masks while having food, the guidelines added.
While the government has noted the vaccination centres and activities like ration distribution, which were going on in different schools will continue, the DDMA said the area used for these activities should be separated from the area used for academic activities.
"All schools and colleges are advised to ensure that a quarantine room is available for emergency use. Routine guest visits should be discouraged," the guidelines said.
Edited by Suman Singh
