Mumbai: Even when a threat from the new Covid-19 variant Omicron has recently appeared, the Maharashtra government has issued SOPs and directions to reopen all schools for offline classes in urban and rural regions from December 1, officials said.

As schools prepare to welcome kids back, the instructions, announced late Sunday in continuation of School Education Minister Prof. Varsha E. Gaikwad's declaration on November 26, dictate physical separation, face masks, hygiene, and other standards. On October 4, schools in metropolitan areas and rural areas were opened to students in higher classes 8-12, prompting a positive response and easy handling, according to the schools. The state will reopen Class 1-7 in urban areas and 1-4 in rural regions on Wednesday, boosted by the exercise and a drop in the number of cases and fatalities.

Furthermore, any students discovered to have any symptoms will not be permitted to enter the school campus, all schools must maintain a clean environment with regular sanitisation; and all students must wash/sanitize their hands often to avoid infection risks. If more than five pupils test positive for Covid-19 within a fortnight, the local authorities will assess the school's preventive measures and make appropriate decisions.

For the time being, schools have been encouraged to shun biometric attendance systems in favour of alternate methods, to avoid crowds such as assemblies, prayers, and games, and to provide access to online education to 'quartet pupils.'

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