G.O. (Ms) No.707, Re-opening of Higher Educational Institutions, Standard Operating Procedures

What the document does

G.O. (Ms) No.707, issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, Revenue and Disaster Management [D.M.4(2)] Department on 5 December 2020, attaches Standard Operating Procedures for reopening universities, colleges and hostels during COVID-19. The procedures supplement earlier permissions for specified students and final-year classes to return to institutions.

The permissions covered final-year classes in arts, science, technical, engineering, agriculture, fisheries and veterinary colleges. Technical institutions included polytechnics and hotel management institutions. Hostels for eligible college students were also permitted, including hostels administered by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department and the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department.

Who is affected

G.O. (Ms) No.707 primarily affects universities, colleges, hostels, research scholars, final-year students, faculty and other staff. Institutions could open only outside containment zones. Students and staff living in containment zones were not allowed to attend and were advised not to visit containment zones.

The document concerns educational reopening and public health precautions. It does not prescribe any process for buying land, transferring property, changing land use or updating revenue records.

Key operating requirements

The Standard Operating Procedures require institutions to:

• Ensure that no more than 50% of total students are present at any time.
• Reopen campuses in phases and prepare rosters for departments, programmes and student batches.
• Screen students, faculty and staff, and prevent symptomatic persons from entering campuses.
• Provide thermal scanners, sanitizers and face masks at entry and exit points.
• Use staggered entry and exit timings to avoid crowding.
• Maintain physical distancing, sanitation and hygiene in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, hostel kitchens, messes, washrooms and common facilities.
• Arrange separate isolation for symptomatic persons and people who test positive, either on campus or through hospitals or government authorities.
• Display signs, emergency numbers, helpline details and institutional COVID-19 cell contacts.
• Avoid extracurricular activities where physical distancing is not possible.

Teaching and attendance

The Standard Operating Procedures identify online learning as the preferred mode for programmes not covered by physical reopening. Students choosing to study from home were to receive online study materials and access to electronic resources. Small departmental visits could be allowed by prior appointment, subject to physical distancing and other safety measures.