Govt to make JNV hostels available to fight Covid-19

NEW DELHI: In its bid to fight the deadly coronavirus, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to make vacant Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) hostels available to local district administrations.

There are around 660 residential Navodaya Vidyalayas functioning in the country. Centrally-run, every state except Tamil Nadu has them. The JNVs are a chain of schools for talented students from rural areas in the country.

The Union HRD minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, announced on Twitter : “Assessing the current situation, I have advised Commissioner Navodaya Vidyalaya to make their hostels (where no students are staying) available for the respective District Administrations, aiding them to #FightCOVID19.”

Assessing the current situation, I have advised Commissioner Navodaya Vidyalaya to make their hostels (where no students are staying) available for the respective District Administrations, aiding them to #FightCOVID19 . #IndiaFightsCoronavirus @narendramodi @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA

— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) March 23, 2020

Quarantine centres

Other educational institutions are serving as quarantine centres as well. Last week, quarantine centres were set up at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay as well.

Pokhriyal did not specify what use the hostels will be put to. He said on social media: "Navodaya Vidyalayas are present nearly in all districts of the country. Their hostels will be used by the district administration for any kind of medical facility if required."

As per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) till March 23, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in India has reached 349 with 24 people recovering from the disease and seven casualties.

The Centre and state governments have completely shutdown 75 districts across the country where Covid-19 cases have been reported. The government has also shut down rail and interstate bus services till March 31.

Also read:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Latest Updates
  
• Covid-19: University and IIT campuses turn quarantine centres

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