As COVID-19, Omicron cases in India increase, various state governments including Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, and West Bengal have declared to close schools, colleges as well as universities and other educational institutions on an immediate basis while announcing new restrictions for COVID-19 such as the imposition of a nighttime curfew and a weekend curfew.
The Odisha government declared that all colleges and universities that fall under the state’s higher education division must follow these guidelines. This has been done for the safety of the students and staff during the third wave of pandemics in the country. All hostels / residential accommodation for technical educational institutions will remain closed until further notice. The state governments have also started vaccination campaigns in schools/colleges so that more and more children can be vaccinated without any problems. However, scholars, researchers, and students who wish to stay in the hostel for research/project work or other academic activities can be admitted to the same subject to the prior commitment and approval by appropriate authorities of the concerned institutions,” said the order of the state government.
However, virtual, or online classes will be permitted to continue. Teaching and non-teaching staff of schools and technical educational establishments will work in accordance with the applicable guidelines for government officials and perform the duties assigned to them by the authorities.