SRINAGAR – Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather Saturday said that schools will reopen as announced already and the government was prepared for it at all levels.
“We are ready for the opening of the schools following the decision by the LG administration. SOPs are to be followed from moving for home to reaching school,” he said while talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by Zadibal PHC to facilitate the covid warriors.
“SOPs are to be followed in the bus or matador to be boarded by the student. At the school entrance, there would be thermal scanning. It will be seen if the student has put up a mask and that too properly,” he said . “If it is seen that any student is febrile (having or showing the symptoms of a fever), he or she will be sent back home.”
He said there are already directions regarding social distancing and if there are 80 students in a classroom and social distancing cannot be maintained, then there have to be 40 students at a time. “Use of sanitizers and cleanness will be there,” he said, adding, “There would be random testing and if any student comes out to be positive, he or she will be properly isolated.” He said schools will reopen and “we are ready. Government is ready. The Directorate of Education is ready.”
He also thanked the media for its role in busting myths about the vaccination. “There has been a good response to vaccination in the 15-17 age-group. Vaccination in the age group of more than 60-year-age with co-morbidities stands completed,” he said, adding, “Vaccination is important and it is with it that the third wave will soon come to an end.”
He said that in every district, a pediatric ICU is being set up along with pediatric wards. “Every district has a facility of oxygen and there will be tertiary-level treatment now available at the doorstep. People of Kupwara will have it there, Kulgam will get it in their own district,” he said, adding, “Within two months, the entire system will get started and this is a big change happening.”
He also urged people not to lower their guard and continue to maintain covid-19 appropriate behavior. “We have seen there was complacency after the drop in the second wave. Vaccination remains the key and if there is someone who has not taken the same, he or she should take it.”
