Mangaluru : Karnataka government on Monday permitted re-opening of schools for students of classes 1 to 5 from October 25 by strictly adhering to precautions and guidelines against the coronavirus.

Also, the government announced certain relaxations for international arrivals at airports while allowing certain activities like throwing open swimming pools with certain conditions.

“Class from 1st to 5th standards permitted to re-open from October 25, 2021, by strictly adhering to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and SOPs issued by the Department of Primary and Secondary Education.

It has laid down certain rules such as screening for Covid-19 symptoms on entry, 50 per cent of the capacity in a classroom, provision of hand sanitisers, physical distancing of a minimum of one metre as practically feasible, no crowding, particularly at school entry and exit, and disinfecting classrooms and restrooms daily using 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution.

Only teachers and staff who have been vaccinated with two doses of Covid-19 vaccines would be allowed in classes 1 to 5, it said. There shall be additional use of face shield by teachers who are over 50 years of age. “The operational guidelines on re-opening of classes I to 5 will be issued by the Department of Primary and Secondary Education,” it added.

The government re-opened schools for students of classes 6 to 8 from September 6 and for students of classes 9 to 12 from August 23.

-=