Delhi schools to open again: Classes with 50pc strength, quarantine zone among DDMA guidelines

According to the order, the schools would have to follow a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) created for them in order to run physical classes.

The classes will run with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity. Also, a gap of at least one hour will be maintained between the morning and evening shift schools, as per the SOP.

Also, it has been said that the seating arrangement should be done in such a way that there is a gap of one seat between the two seats.

According to the DDMA order, children have been asked not to share their food, books and other stationery items and advised to keep the lunch break at different times in an open area.

"This will prevent the gathering of a large crowd of children together at one time," the SOP mentions.

Following a marked improvement in the Covid-19 situation, the Delhi government has decided to reopen schools in a phased manner. While the students from 9-12 classes are allowed to attend schools from September 1, the junior classes of 6-8 will be restarted from September 8 for physical attendance.

However, parental approval will be required for children to attend school and neither a student nor parents would be forced for physical attendance, the order clarified.

The schools will require to ensure that the common area of the school is being cleaned regularly. They are also asked by the authority to make provision for soap and water in the toilets as well as the availability of thermal scanners, sanitisers and masks etc. on the premises.

Meanwhile, thermal scanning of visitors will be mandatory at the entry gate of the school and all staff and children would require to wear masks appropriately. The SOP also directs that the hands of the children will be sanitized at the entry gate of the school itself.

However, separate points for entry and exit will be made and civil defence staff will be deployed to monitor the situation at both points.

The schools have been also asked to designate a quarantine space inside the campus. "It will be mandatory for schools to make a quarantine room in the school premises, where any child or staff can be kept if need be," the order read.

However, teachers, staff or students living in the containment zones will not be allowed to enter schools.

According to the latest order, schools will also have to ensure that all teachers and staff are vaccinated.

"Vaccination has to be given priority in case they (staff) are not," it added.