Colleges tread with caution after LU teachers test positive

LUCKNOW: Alarmed after two Lucknow University teachers tested positive for Covid-19, other universities and colleges have become cautious, ensuring steps to mitigate any possibility of a similar incident.

The administrations of these institutions are sanitizing their campuses and limiting physical presence of staff as educational work remains suspended.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) is a closed campus unlike the LU, as there are no multiple gates. “There’s just one entry from where people enter the campus and there are guards in place, hence there is a check system,” said vice chancellor Prof VK Pathak.

“The university canteen is closed, all files are sanitized and meetings takes place via video conferencing,” he said.

The temperature of every individual entering the campus is taken. Attendance is also being marked via mobile application.

Though all institutes have suspended classes and other educational activities completely, some official departments continue to function with bare minimum staff.

Vice chancellor of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University SK Bhatnagar said all departments, library and academic block were closed. Only administrative offices were open.

On Tuesday, a day after the LU teachers tested positive for Covid-19, IT College got its entire campus sanitized.

“The entire campus was sanitized after a case was reported from an apartment opposite the college. Administrative work is being carried out with minimum attendance to avoid unnecessary contact,” said college principal Vineeta Prakash.

LU recently announced the date for exams which were scheduled in July but said that the schedule may change as per directions of the state government.“These are not normal times. The final decision to begin classes and other educational work will depend on the decision taken by the state government,” said Durgesh Srivastav, LU spokesman.