Chennai: To fight the threat from the Omicron variant, The Greater Chennai Corporation has asked college and universities in the city to ensure physical distance in classrooms, laboratories, libraries and hostels.
“Because schools and colleges have continued the classroom, it has been observed that in many institutions, there are poor compliance by wearing masks among students and teaching staff in the classroom and many examples of non-maintenance of social distance,” Corporate Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said In his letter to the Dean, Registrants, and Head of Institution on Friday.
“With the omicron variant spread quickly, Covid’s inappropriate behavior will increase the risk of spreading infection,” the letter said.
It also asks for college to avoid cultural events and functions involving student crowding and to encourage the use of disposable plates in hostels and canteens.
However, City Colleges said it would be difficult to follow social distance while doing physical classes.
“It’s hard to maintain a social distance in normal mode with students who attend a physical class six days a week.
If college is allowed to do classes in double mode, we will be able to maintain social distance,” said Madras Christian College Principal Paul Wilson.
He said the college would overcome the offline test if the case increased.
Dg Vaishnav College Principal S Santhosh Baboo said most students were over 18 years vaccinated.
“If vaccination is permitted for those under 18 years after January 3, we will ask all our first year students to take Jab.
Then our campus will be fully vaccinated,” he said.