Punjab is all set to enter the new normal amidst the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that decision has been taken to reopen schools and coaching institutions in a graded manner after 15.10.2020 subject to some conditions such as on-line/distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and be encouraged. Apart from this, students of only classes 9th to 12th are permitted to attend schools/institutions with the parental consent of each student and without making attendance compulsory vis-a-vis attendance must not be enforced and must depend entirely on parental consent.
He further informed that schools which are being allowed to open after 15th October would have to mandatorily follow the SOPs to be issued by the state school education department in consultation with the Punjab health & family welfare department.
In addition, higher educational institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology streams requiring laboratories/experimental works are permitted to open after 15th October 2020. For centrally funded higher education institutions, the head of the institution would satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph. D) and post-graduate students in science and technology streams requiring laboratories/experimental works.
Moreover, he said that all other higher education institutions, for instance, state universities and private universities are also permitted to open from 15th October 2020 only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students in science and technology streams requiring laboratories/experimental works.
Sharing details, he disclosed that swimming pools to be used for sportspersons are allowed to open after 15.10.2020 as per SOPs to be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S), Government of India. Besides this, Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions are allowed to open from 15.10.2020 as per SOPs issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Government of India.
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Furthermore, he stated that social/academic/sports/entertainment/ cultural/religious/political functions including weddings and funerals and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside containment zones only. Such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons are permitted outside containment zones from 15.10.2020 subject to certain conditions such as in closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity is allowed with the ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer shall be mandatory.
He revealed that in case of open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/space in the view, with the permission of the district magistrate and with strict observance of social distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks, provision of thermal scanning, and use of hand wash or sanitizer. Therefore, gatherings purely for entertainment shall not be permitted in excess of 100 persons.