Odisha: Physical Classes of First-year UG Students to Commence from Sept 20

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government today announced the commencement of the physical classes of first-year Under Graduate students from September 20.

In a letter, Higher Education Department Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra directed Vice-Chancellors of all state public universities and Principals of all Government and non-Government degree colleges coming under the Higher Education Department to commence physical classroom teaching for 2020-21 UG First Year students (both 3 year and 4 year UG courses).

Hostels will reopen for the students from September 19 (tomorrow). All possible COVID-19 protocols will be followed in the hostels.

The department issued the following safety guidelines for commencement physical classes of UG First Year students:

• Teachers/staff/students residing in Containment Zones shall not come to college/university
• Face mask/face cover shall be mandatory
• Frequent hand wash, sanitization shall be ensured
• Social distancing shall be adopted in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, etc. If needed, crowded classes can be divided into batches and teaching hours in a day can be extended
• Spitting in campus shall be strictly followed
• Respiratory etiquettes shall be strictly followed (covering mouth and nose by handkerchief while coughing/sneezing)
• Self-monitoring of health and reporting of illness should be encouraged
• There must be isolation room ready for any emergency