University Grants Commission has issued an advisory for all the Universities and Colleges on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19). In this letter to all the universities are given some preventive measures to combat the threat of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which are suggested by Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare and Joint Secretary (HE), MHRD. Towards this, a coordinated and collective effort in a mission mode is needed, therefore all universities and their affiliated colleges are requested to take necessary precautions and follow the advisory given below to help in prevention /reduction of the transmission of the virus.
- Avoid large gatherings on campus.
- Any student/ staff with travel history to any COVID-19 affected country or in contact with such persons in last 28 days, should be monitored and home quarantined for 14 days.
- Faculty should be alert towards any student with signs and symptoms i.e. fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, and should immediately have the student tested.
- Till advised by the treating doctor the student should not join campus.
- Faculty staff and students should also be advised about simple public health measures of hand and respiratory hygiene.
Hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap & water or use alcohol based hand sanitizer, even when hands are visibly clean.
Respiratory hygiene:
- Everyone should cover their mouth with a tissue/handkerchief (or their sleeve if there are no tissues available) when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands afterwards.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Everyone should throw away used tissues in a bin and wash their hands after contact with coughing/sneezing.
- Frequently touched surfaces — door knobs, switches, desk tops, hand railings etc, should be disinfected.
- Provide alcohol based hand cleaners/sanitizers in frequented spots of the universities/colleges.
- Ensure availability of soap and water in rest rooms at all times.
- Foot operated pedal bins lined with plastic bag should be provided in each classroom & rest room.
- In hostels, health status of students as well as the other ancillary staff should be monitored on regular basis. In case, there are suspected cases, the authorized local medical authority should be called for examination.
- Anybody with signs & symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty in breathing) should call State/UT helpline number or Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s 24X7 helpline at 011 2397846 or visit public health facility with a mask or mouth covered
An information pamphlet received from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to sensitize the students is enclosed.