Colleges allowed to reopen from August 11 in Chandigarh

Amid a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 infections, the Chandigarh administration has allowed reopening of higher educational institutions for the ongoing classes from August 11 on the condition that the staff and students have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  

The higher educational institutes have been directed to follow COVID protocols and ensure that students, teaching and non-teaching staff have received at least one dose of Covid vaccine.  

The order issued by the directorate of higher education, Chandigarh administration read, “Only those students (18 age) who have received at least one dose of vaccination, minimum two weeks ago shall be allowed to attend the institution. The decision regarding exemption from vaccination (due to medical conditions only) will be taken by the respective head of institution.” 

The head of the institute can also use blended mode (online and offline) of teaching, wherever required. Colleges have also been allowed to open hostels. Students who want to avail of the hostel facility will have to submit a negative RT-PCR report of not more than 72 hours before occupying the hostel. 

"Institutional premises should be used only for academic and related activities, subject to the adherence to guidelines issued from time to time by the Chandigarh Administration," the order read.  

Educational institutes in Chandigarh have been shut since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration had allowed reopening of educational institutes in February 2021, but then the plan was cancelled owing to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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