Schools in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim reopened from October 9 after remaining shut for nearly 7 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.However, only those schools which are outside containment zones are allowed to reopen for students of class 9th to 12th.

The first day of the school looked very different from the Pre-COVID times as the management and the students adhered to all safety protocols ushering in the ‘new normal’ for schools.

Classes will be held in shifts and all necessary protocols including social distancing and proper sanitisation of premises are being followed by schools.

In the first shift, classes for 9 and 10 standards were held.Classes for 11 and 12 standards were held in the second shift.Students sat at a distance of 6 feet from each other.

Students, who had written permission from their parents or guardians, were only allowed to attend classes.

Online classes shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and be encouraged.

In case of symptoms of cold or fever in any student, teacher or other employees, they will be sent home after primary treatment.

The Sikkim government has come up with a new academic calendar doing away with winter vacation and Saturday holidays to make up for the lost time.

The government has said that sanitisation of premises is mandatory before every shift on a regular basis. “In the first phase, Classes 9 to 12 may start in these schools. The schools must run in two shifts of smaller durations, to ensure student safety,” deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma had said.

School buses will have to be sanitised every day and proper distance should be maintained in seating arrangements.