Tamil Nadu schools reopen following stringent Covid protocols

The state Health department has issued strict Covid protocols to be implemented in schools. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS)

The students are provided with hand sanitizer and their temperature checked as they stepped into the portals of education after enjoying stretched holidays owing to the pandemic and mid-January Pongal festival. (Photo | S Dinesh, EPS)

The social distancing norm of seating two students per bench was resorted to in many schools. (Photo | V Karthikalagu, EPS)

Ahead of the reopening, the administration had thoroughly sanitised the classrooms and premises. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)

The Health Department has directed teachers and students staying in containment zones not to attend school until the Covid situation improves. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Employees at higher risk, including pregnant women and older personnel with comorbidities, must take extra caution while coming to schools. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)

On January 28, the state government permitted physical classes to resume for standards 1 – 12 in all schools from February 1, while exempting play schools and nursery schools. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Justifying the decision to reopen schools in Tamil Nadu, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan on Monday said it was based on medical experts’ recommendations. (Photo | V Karthikalagu, EPS)

The experts highlighted that continuous online education could affect children’s learning, Radhakrishnan said, adding that the World Health Organization (WHO) and scientists across the world have warned of the risks of keeping schools closed for long. (Photo | S Dinesh, EPS)