Covid-19: IIT Delhi asks remaining students to vacate campus

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has asked all the students of the institute to vacate the hostels at the earliest. Director V Ramgopal Rao in an email addressed to the students, staff and teachers made the announcement on March 18.

However, international students and students with special needs can stay back. “All remaining students (except international students and students with special needs) are requested to vacate the hostels at the earliest,” the announcement read.

The steps have been taken based on the advisory of the “health ministry and other departments of the government of India” and keeping in view the flight and train cancellations happening at a rapid pace. “It may not be possible for the students to leave the campus later”, the mail read.

Mess facilities discontinued

Mess facilities have been discontinued and the students remaining in the campus will be served ‘packed food’. The announcement also read “married students and project staff living in flats not dependent on hostel food may continue to stay”.

Restrictions and screening

Strict restrictions for visitors have been imposed. Those visiting the campus for valid reasons will be screened at entry points.

Online plans

The institute will continue to function with staff and teachers residing on the campus, with a contingency plan for ‘switching over to the online mode of instruction’.

The mail read, “The goal will be to minimize disruption to the academic year and ensure that students will be able to complete their graduation requirements within the specified time”.

IIT-ISM Dhanbad also had asked its students to vacate the campus by March 18. All academic activities of the institute to remain suspended till April 14.

Earlier IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IIT Kanpur and IIT Ropar had suspended classes and asked their students to vacate the campus.

It may be noted that a researcher of IIT Delhi, who had recently returned from Italy tested positive for Covid-19 in Bhubaneshwar on March 17.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of confirmed coronavirus infections has risen to 148. The coronavirus pandemic has claimed four lives in India.

Also read :

• Covid-19: Students returning to Kerala may be stuck beyond March 31
• Coronavirus: IIT Kanpur cancels classes, extends mid-semester recess
  

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