Bhubaneswar, January 7: The State Government on Friday decided to close down all colleges & universities and its hostels from January 10 in view of the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
“All colleges, universities, technical educational institutions (other than medical colleges, nursing colleges & institutions under control of Health & Family Welfare Department) under the superintendence of Odisha government shall remain closed with effect from January 10, 2022,” said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena in an order.
The restrictions will remain in force till February 1 (5 AM).
However, all ongoing offline examinations are allowed to continue as per programme with strict adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.
The authorities of colleges, universities and technical educational institutions have been asked to take all appropriate measures for conducting classes through virtual other alternative methods of learning mode.
All hostels in such academic institutions will also remain closed with effect from January 10. Students are advised to avoid staying in the hostel in the interest of their personal health, he said.
However, the scholars, researchers and students who desire to stay in the hostels for research/ project works or other academic activities can stay by submitting undertakings to the appropriate authorities of the concerned institution. The respective Department will issue a detailed SOP or guidelines for this purpose.
Teaching and non- teaching employees of colleges, universities and technical educational institutions shall work as per prevailing guidelines for government servants and perform duties such as taking online classes/ academic/ semi academic and administrative functions etc. as assigned to them by the authorities.
Coaching institutions, organisations and individuals offering coaching services to students shall not run off-line/physical coaching/ classes. However, virtual/ on-line coaching shall be permitted to continue.
Any person found violating this order will be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws, warned the SRC.
