The UT Administration will hold talks with the parents regarding the reopening of schools in the union territory after October 15. The decision was taken during the war room meeting held under Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh. The Administrator directed Secretary Education to hold talks with the parents regarding physical attendance of students of higher classes in the schools. A final decision will be taken after necessary consultation with the Central Government, he said. He also directed that vendors coming from Sector 26 market should be tested for COVID-19 regularly.
Under the unlock 5.0 guidelines of the Central Government, for re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, the State or UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15, in a graded manner.
It was also decided during the meeting that the matter of a second medical college with at least 50 MBBS seats, which has already been sent to the Centre, should be taken up with the Medical Council of India.
Meanwhile, new micro-containment zones were notified at 11 locations in the city on Thursday, with an aim to contain the spread of infection. “The new containment zones were notified in Sectors 15, 22, 26 (Police Lines), 37, 39, 41, 44, Mauli jagran and Shanti Nagar,” stated an order issued by Manoj Parida, Adviser to Administrator.
“Regular screening and monitoring of these areas by medical teams will continue in these areas. Frequent sanitization of the areas by municipal authorities will be conducted and the residents will be advised to strictly maintain social distancing norms, wear masks and follow hand hygiene. This order will come into force with immediate effect,” the order stated.