Maharashtra to reopen colleges from October 20, vaccination mandatory for students

While offline classes will be allowed in colleges, Samant further stated that universities and colleges must offer online classes for those students who are unable to attend physical classes from October 20.

Amid the declining cases of the novel coronavirus, the Maharashtra government on October 12 announced its decision to reopen colleges in the state from October 20. Considering that the pandemic situation still prevails, Uday Samant, Maharashtra's higher and technical education minister, said in order to attend offline classes in colleges, students must be fully vaccinated, adding that colleges and universities should also discuss setting up vaccination camps with the local administration.

While offline classes will be allowed in colleges, Samant further stated that universities and colleges must offer online classes for those students who are unable to attend physical classes from October 20.

COVID-related restrictions are being relaxed by the state government in a phased manner. The schools and junior colleges reopened from October 4 following the directives laid down by the government as the vaccination drive in the state gained momentum.

The Maharashtra government also issued guidelines on October 12 regarding the reopening of cinema halls and auditoriums from October 22. The reopening of cinema halls, theatres, and auditoriums will operate at not more than 50 per cent of their seating capacity.

The government has also allowed reopening the religious places of all faiths from October 7, the first day of Navratri, a Hindu festival that spans nine nights. While the government is allowing relaxations in various activities, it also stated that all the activities will be followed out with all precautions as it has prepared itself for the third wave of Covid-19. Earlier, the state government imposed several restrictions during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival fearing another COVID wave.

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