With schools in Maharashtra set to resume this week, the government has issued Covid-19 guidelines in the face of rising coronavirus cases in the state. According to the report, the guidelines emphasize booster doses for teaching as well as non-teaching staff. In addition, schools are encouraged to encourage people over the age of 12 to be vaccinated.
Based on the accounts, the Department of School Education issued a Government Resolution (GR) regarding the beginning of the new academic year. The GR on June 10 not only confirmed the school resumption dates but also mentioned various precautions required by the educational institution if the student is found to be COVID-19 positive.
It has been reported that the guidelines underscore that local education departments in different wards must ensure that teachers and non-teaching staff are fully vaccinated, including booster doses if given two doses. Furthermore, they have been asked to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines against coronavirus, if necessary. In addition, schools are asked to vaccinate students over the age of 12. While there is no mention of masks in the guidelines, schools and parents are asked to follow local administration rules.
The characters suggest that schools are expected to create awareness among parents that they should not send their children to school if they develop symptoms of corona. It states that if a student develops any symptoms on the school premises, management is expected to provide isolation facilities and perform antigen or RT-PCR testing. She goes on to say that if a student’s test is positive, then all other children who have been in close contact should also be tested.
On the other hand, another order was issued in which schools were asked to celebrate the first day of students in schools. Its goal is to create a positive environment so that students are eager to return to school. In Maharashtra, schools will resume on June 13 after the summer break, but students will resume classes on June 15.