Covid Cases On Rise In Maharashtra, Govt Declared Universities And Colleges Shut Down Until 15 Feb

To prevent Covid cases, higher and technical education minister of Maharashtra Uday Samant announced on Wednesday that the Government of Maharashtra has decided to shut down all non-agricultural universities coming within the realm of Maharashtra. Classes and colleges of Maharashtra will remain closed until 15 February 2022. However, the exams conducted by these colleges during the period will be conducted online. The government of Maharashtra took this decision considering the sharp rise in Covid cases.

Shutting down universities and colleges until 15 February will affect the physical classes and exams. While announcing the universities and colleges shut down, higher and technical education minister Uday Samant said, ‘the government of Maharashtra suspended the physical classes conducted in colleges and universities till 15 February. Examinations of these institutions will be conducted online.’

The decision came in the light of increasing covid cases in the state. Maharashtra saw another quick increase in covid cases numbered 18,466 on Tuesday, with 10,860 cases belonging to the Mumbai region alone – the highest daily number since 7 April of 2021. Along with that, Maharashtra also witnesses 75 new Omicron cases. Now the tally of Omicron infections goes to 653, as per the health department reports.

Also Read: Omicron Cases On Rapid Spread! Centre Says Delta Still Dominates Omicron

Given the sharp rise in covid cases, the civic authorities in Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Thane, and Pune have considered it a wise option to keep the colleges and universities closed until 15 February.

Amid the rising number of covid cases, people feared the subsequent lockdown in the state. However, the health minister of Maharashtra, Rajesh Tope, cleared that lockdown was not required but emphasized following limits and rules to contain the increasing number of covid infections in the state.

In a meeting organized with the covid-19 task force of Maharashtra, health and finance officials, Health minister Rajesh Tope states that the state witnessed 16,000 covid cases on Tuesday, and he also feared the number of infections and further cross 25,000 on Wednesday.

Rajesh Tope pointed out that 90 percent of the covid cases are asymptomatic, which is relaxing news. Only one to two percent of those who have shown symptoms of covid need hospitalization.

In this instance, the Task Force has coined the word strengthened limitations, which signifies that if a situation like this arises, we will not have to use the phrase lockdown.” At the moment, a complete lockdown is not necessary,” opined Rajesh Tope. As per the strengthened limitations, the non-essentials activities will remain closed.

As the covid cases increased, he added more importance to education, information, and communication operations about the safeguards to be followed after being infected with the coronavirus.

Attesting the central government’s rules, Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar said lockdown would be implemented if the daily count of covid cases crosses the 20,000 mark.

Also Read: Omicron Variant 3 Times More Infectious Than Delta, Govt Declarers Threshold To Impose Restrictions

Amid Increasing Covid Cases, Colleges and Universities Will Follow These Guidelines:

According to the decree, the decision to shut down universities and colleges is applied to all non-agricultural institutions in the state and privatized colleges and universities.

All hostels would be closed as well. Nevertheless, students coming from abroad would be considered eligible to stay back in the hostel and be supplied with all necessary care.

It is anticipated that all examinations planned will also be performed online. In the scenario that a pupil is unable to present for an exam online, the institution would provide enough guidance to assure that academic year if the student is not wasted.

All institutions have been recommended to create a student helpdesk to assist students during this challenging period.

Only 50% of the total teaching and non-teaching employees are permitted at the university and colleges.

Maharashtra government has also recommended all higher educational institutions vaccinate the staff and students. If someone is not inoculated, the information must be provided to the concerned authorities to take necessary action.