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Colleges to reopen in Pune from October 11; offices to function with 100% capacity
After the weekly Covid review held in the city, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced that colleges and universities in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and rural parts can reopen from October 11
PUNE Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, on Friday, made major several announcements further easing Covid curbs in Pune.
After the weekly Covid review held in the city, Pawar announced that colleges and universities in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and rural parts can reopen from Monday.
However, he stated that only fully vaccinated students would be allowed to attend ‘live’ classes, or be allowed on campus. Also, a negative RT-PCR test is mandatory for all students from other districts.
Pune Municipal Corporation issued an order on Friday evening formalising these announcements. However the order doesn’t mention the compulsory RT-PCR test for the student from the other districts.
Pawar also announced that the private offices can resume full functionality with 100% capacity from Monday, but a strict adherence to Covid- appropriate behaviour will be mandatory.
Restaurants are now allowed to stay open till 11pm, as against the current 10pm deadline. And home delivery is allowed till 12 midnight.
Pawar also announced that tourist spots in urban and rural areas would reopen from Monday, but visitors would have to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Government Training centres have also been allowed to reopen from Monday for all fully vaccinated students and the staff with 50% capacity. Private coaching classes have also been allowed to operate with 50% capacity for fully vaccinated students and the staff.
Pawar clarified that students with only one dose would not be allowed back on campuses.
“For students, both doses are compulsory. When we talked to educational institutes they also said that only fully vaccinated students would be allowed. Students with only one dose would have to wait. The duration of 84 days to get the second dose after the first dose is long. We request the centre to reduce this gap so that more people can be fully vaccinated,” said Ajit Pawar.
Theatres and auditoriums next in line
Ajit Pawar stated that the administration would take a decision on the reopening of theatres and auditoriums from October 22, after reviewing the Covid situation over the next two weeks.
“From October 22, theatres and auditoriums could be reopened with 50 per cent capacity. A final decision will be taken after reviewing the Covid situation. Navratri has begun and shrines have opened. By next week, we will get an idea about the spread of infection and its impact on positivity rate. If cases remain low then a decision related to theatres and auditoriums will be taken,” said Ajit Pawar.
