Precautions for Spread of Coronavirus – CBSE, NIOS, University Exams Rescheduled After 31 March 2020
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Departments of Higher Education / School Education & Literacy
127 “C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001
AMIT KHARE, IAS
Secretary
Tel. : 011-23386451, 23382698
Fax : 011-23385807
E-mail : secy.dhe@nic,in
No. Secy(HE)/MHRD/2020
18th March 2020
To
Chairman UGC,
Chairman AICTE,
Chairman NCTE,
Chairperson CBSE,
DG NTA,
Chairman NIOS,
All autonomous organizations under MHRD
Sub: Precautions to be taken in light of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Ref: MHFW DO No.Z-21020/14/2020-PH dt. 17.03.2020
Dear Sir/Madam,
With reference to the above, it is necessary that adequate precautionary measures are taken by various organizations to face the situation arising out of COVID-19.
2. While maintenance of academic calendars and exam schedule is important, equally important is the safety and security of the students who are appearing in various examinations, as also that of their teachers and parents.
3. CBSE has already issued detailed instructions for the precautionary measures to be taken at various examination and evaluation centers. However, it is noted that during examinations, large number of parents/guardians accompany their wards. Further, certain competitive examinations like JEE Mains require examinees to travel to other centers and in some cases even to other cities, to appear in the said examination.
4. There is also anxiety amongst many examinees, parents and teachers as reflected in their e-mails to CBSE and on various social media platforms.
5. Therefore, following further precautionary measures are required to be taken by all educational institutions and examination boards under the Ministry of HRD:
(I) All ongoing examinations may be rescheduled after 31.03.2020. This would include CBSE, NIOS as also University Exams.
(II) All evaluation work may be rescheduled after 31.03.2020. This would include evaluation work of CBSE, NIOS as also University Exams.
(III) Since JEE Mains may require travel by examinees to different towns and the dates may clash with rescheduled CBSE and other Board exams therefore, JEE Mains should be rescheduled and new date of JEE Mains will be announced on 31.03.2020 after re-assessment of situation.
6. All Educational Institutions and Examination Boards are requested to maintain regular communication with the students and teachers through electronic means and keep them fully informed so that there is no anxiety amongst the students, teachers and parents.
7. All institutions are also requested to notify help-line numbers/e-mails which students can access for their queries.
8. All students, teachers and parents may be requested not to panic as MHRD is committed to ensure safety and security of students as also the maintenance of academic calendar and all possible steps will be taken in this regard.
READ ALSO: Precautions for Outbreak of Coronavirus – All Kendriya Vidyalayas Schools closed till 31 March 2020
Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(Amit Khare)
Copy to: Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs for information and necessary action.
ANNEXURE
Do’s
- To maintain personal hygiene and physical distancing.
- To practice frequent hand washing. Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub. Wash hands even if they are visibly clean.
- To cover your nose and mouth with handkerchief / tissue while sneezing and coughing.
- To throw used tissues into closed bins immediately after use.
- To maintain a safe distance from persons during interaction, especially with those having flu-like symptoms.
- To sneeze in the inner side of your elbow and not to cough into the palms of your hands.
- To take their temperature regularly and check for respiratory symptoms.
- To see a doctor if you feel unwell (fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing). While visiting doctor, wear a mask/ cloth to cover your mouth and nose.
- For any fever/ flu-like signs/ symptoms, please call State helpline number. or the 24×7 helpline number of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at 011-23978046.
Don’ts
- Shake hands.
- Have a close contact with anyone, if you’re experiencing cough and fever.
- Touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Sneeze or cough into palms of your hands.
- Spit in Public.
- Travel unnecessarily, particularly to any affected region.
- Participate in large gatherings, including sitting in groups at canteens.
- Visit gyms, clubs and crowded places etc.
- Spread rumours or panic.
Advisory on Social Distancing Measure in view of spread of COVID-19 Disease
Social distancing is a non-pharmaceutical infection prevention and control intervention implemented to avoid/decrease contact between those who are infected with a disease causing pathogen and those who are not, so as to stop or slow down the rate and extent of disease transmission in a community. This eventually leads to decrease in spread, morbidity and mortality due to the disease.
In addition to the proposed interventions, the State/UT Governments may prescribe such other measures as they consider necessary.
All these proposed interventions shall be in force till 31st of March, 2020. They will be reviewed as per the evolving situation.
The following interventions are proposed:
1. Closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. Students should be advised to stay at home. Online education to be promoted.
2. Possibility of postponing exams may be explored. Ongoing exams to be conducted only after ensuring physical distance of one meter amongst students.
3. Encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
4. Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferences. Minimize or reschedule meetings involving large number of people unless necessary.
5. Restaurants to ensure handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1metre) between tables; encourage open air seating where practical with adequate distancing.
6. Keep already planned weddings to a limited gathering, postpone all non-essential social and cultural gatherings.
7. Local authorities to have a dialogue with organizers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events.
8. Local authorities to have a dialogue with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and should ensure no overcrowding/at least one metre distance between people.
9. Local authorities to have meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, exhibit Do’s and Don’ts and take up a communication drive in market places like sabzi mandi, anaj mandi, bus depots, railway stations, post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.
10. All commercial activities must keep a distance of one meter between customers. Measures to reduce peak hour crowding in markets.
11. Non-essential travel should be avoided. Buses, Trains and aeroplanes to maximize social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.
12. Hospitals to follow necessary protocol related with COVID-19 management as prescribed and restrict family/friends/children visiting patients in hospitals.
13. Hygiene and physical distancing has to be maintained. Shaking hands and hugging as a matter of greeting to be avoided.
14. Special protective measures for delivery men/ women working in online ordering services.
15. Keep communities informed consistently and constantly.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
READ: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Preventive Measures for CG Employees – Dopt Order 2020
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