E-Paper
Higher education, skill devpt institutes can reopen in J&K post-July 31
“Higher educational institutions and skill development centres may be considered for phased reopening for onsite learning after 31st July 2021, subject to vaccination status of the students and staff,” the government said in an order.
The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Sunday higher education and skill development institutes in the Union territory (UT) can consider a phased reopening after July 31 based on the vaccination status of staff and students against the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease.
“Higher educational institutions and skill development centres may be considered for phased reopening for onsite learning after 31st July 2021, subject to vaccination status of the students and staff,” the government said in an order.
The government said public and private institutions are permitted to seek personal attendance of limited vaccinated staff for administrative purposes.
Sunday’s order was issued after the government carried out a review of the current Covid-19 situation in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. An overall assessment was carried out in the UT focusing on areas such as total weekly new cases, positivity rate, bed occupancy, fatality rate, vaccination coverage and extent of compliance to Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Significant improvement was seen in some districts compared to the previous week, the administration said. However, it was noted that daily Covid-19 cases were showing an uneven trend for the past few days.
As the previous Covid-19 containment orders remain imposed in Jammu and Kashmir until further orders, the deputy commissioners can allow shops to open at 6am instead of 7am to avoid rush on July 19 and 20 ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, it was told.
All deputy commissioners have been further instructed by the government to focus on the positivity rates of the medical blocks under their jurisdictions, according to Sunday’s order.
“All Deputy Commissioners shall keep active track of the positivity rates in these blocks and consider implementing stricter control measures in closed clustered spaces like Public-Private Offices, Community halls. Malls, Bazaars etc, in case the weekly positivity rate goes beyond 4 percent in these Blocks,” the order said. The three-“T” protocol of testing, tracking and treating and vaccination would also have to be strengthened in these blocks, the government said.
Jammu and Kashmir reported 179 new Covid-19 disease cases on Saturday, which took the total caseload to 3,19,755. One more person succumbed to the viral disease and the total deaths have climbed to 4,363. Of Saturday’s case count, Srinagar recorded the highest number of infections at 59, followed by 15 cases in Doda.
