The Bengal government on Wednesday issued an advisory to all schools to sensitise students about the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“All schools, irrespective of the boards or councils they are affiliated to, will have to follow the advisory,” a senior official in the school education department said.
The advisory is attached to an information pamphlet that was released by the Union health and family welfare ministry recently. The pamphlet contains the “dos and don’ts” to be followed to avoid getting infected with the coronavirus.
Students have been asked to observe personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, washing hands before and after eating, covering mouth and nose with handkerchief, tissue paper or elbow while sneezing or coughing and cleaning properly after using washrooms.
They have also been asked to stay away from those suffering from cold, fever and flu-like symptoms, contact doctor immediately if having cough and difficulty in breathing and avoid travelling if suffering from fever and cough.
The move follows an order from the Union ministry to spread awareness among students about preventive interventions, the school education department official said.
He said the advisory, signed by Saumitra Mohan, the commissioner of school education in the Bengal government, and the directive from the Union ministry on preventing the spread of the coronavirus had been sent to all district inspectors (DI) of schools in Bengal. The DIs will have to undertake the sensitisation drive in their areas.
Calcutta University has issued an advisory for the teachers and students who have gone or will go abroad to attend assignments or have returned from abroad recently.
The advisory, issued by registrar Debasish Das, says: “The Indian teachers, students, guest students and research scholars are directed to report to the government hospital authorities and follow the strict quarantine rules imposed by the government after their foreign trip.”
CBSE allows masks
Students appearing for the CBSE Class X and XII board examinations will be allowed to carry masks and hand sanitiser to the exam centres, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced. “Face masks and sanitisers may be carried by students in the examination centre,” CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said, reports PTI. The Class X and XII exams began on February 15.
