G.O. (Ms) No.523, COVID-19 SOP for Voluntary School Visits, 2020
The Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.IV) Department issued G.O. (Ms) No.523 dated 24 September 2020, permitting students in Standards 10 to 12 to visit Government, Government aided and private schools voluntarily for teacher guidance under a COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure. The permission applied from 1 October 2020 only outside containment zones and does not govern land, property ownership or revenue records.
What the document does
G.O. (Ms) No.523 dated 24 September 2020 was issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management (D.M.IV) Department during the COVID-19 lockdown. It permitted students in Standards 10 to 12 at Government, Government aided and private schools to visit voluntarily for guidance from teachers and related work from 1 October 2020.
The permission applied only to schools outside containment zones. Students, teachers and employees residing in containment zones could not visit schools. Online and distance learning through other modes had to continue.
Who it affects
G.O. (Ms) No.523 applies to:
- Students in Standards 10, 11 and 12 who choose to visit school for guidance.
- Parents or guardians, whose written consent is required.
- Teachers handling Standards 10 to 12, with up to 50 percent called at one time.
- Government, Government aided and private school managements.
- Head Masters, Principals and staff responsible for health and safety arrangements.
The document contains no provisions about land ownership, property transactions, land classification or revenue records. It therefore does not directly affect a property buyer or owner.
Attendance arrangements
The Standard Operating Procedure divides students into two batches. One batch attends on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while the other attends on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Schools must use assigned time slots and restrict attendance to 50 percent of students in a class on a day.
Teachers are also divided into alternating batches. Teacher and student interaction must be staggered to prevent crowding.
Main safety requirements
The Standard Operating Procedure requires schools to:
- Maintain physical distancing, including at least 6 feet where possible in classrooms.
- Require face coverings throughout school premises.
- Conduct thermal screening of students, teachers and staff on arrival.
- Provide soap, running water and hand sanitiser.
- Disinfect school premises, furniture and frequently touched surfaces before reopening and daily before school begins.
- Use contactless attendance instead of biometric attendance.
- Avoid assemblies, sports and other events that may cause overcrowding.
- Keep swimming pools closed.
- Display State helpline numbers and local health authority contact details.
Students in containment zones or quarantine may receive guidance by telephone until the restriction ends.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms) No.523 affect my land or property rights?
No. The document concerns voluntary school visits and COVID-19 safety procedures. It contains no provisions on land ownership, property transactions or revenue records.
Were students required to attend school under this document?
No. Attendance was voluntary, required written consent from a parent or guardian, and was allowed only for students in Standards 10 to 12.
Could schools in containment zones allow these visits?
No. Only schools outside containment zones could open for voluntary guidance, and students, teachers or employees residing in containment zones could not visit.
Did online learning stop when voluntary school visits began?
No. The Standard Operating Procedure states that online and distance learning through other modes would continue.
