Maharashtra colleges to reopen from Oct 20 for fully vaccinated students: Higher education minister

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After schools, now colleges in Maharashtra are set to reopen from October 20, the state higher and technical education minister Uday Samant made the announcement on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Samant said that students must be fully vaccinated to attend physical classes. "If not, colleges and universities should hold vaccination drives to encourage full vaccination," he said adding that even as state will give a set of SOPs, universities can design their own in consultation with local civic administration.

The Government Resolution (GR) issued in this regard permits universities and colleges in Maharashtra to begin in-person classes. Even as colleges are allowed to begin physical classes with 50 percent of total capacity, online lectures have to continue and hostels will reopen in phases.

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On Tuesday, the Maharashtra government issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cinema halls, auditoriums and drama theaters, which are set to reopen from October 22, allowing them to operate at half the capacity.

Social distancing and other Covid-19-related norms must be followed, said the guidelines issued on Monday.