IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar to Create Bio-bubble to Protect the Students from COVID 19

New Delhi: Several Premier Institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar are opting to create bio-bubbles to initiate phased return of the students to the campus amidst the COVID 19 surge. 

Earlier,IIM B created bio-bubbles for their students. Following this, institutes like IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Gandhinagar are also to take this step for their students. 

The concept of ‘Bio-bubble’ was popularised by the authorities conducting sports events last year. As per this concept, fully vaccinated individuals are not permitted to associate with others to prevent further or major spreading of the Coronavirus. 

After recording a spike amidst the Coronavirus cases on their campus, both IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Gandhinagar decided to opt for the bio bubbles. According to a report published in TOI, so far IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has allowed only the resident students on campus, even as the classes are being conducted online. 

“All movements are subject to permission from the Students Activities Office (SAO). Gatherings are not allowed and visits from the outside are subject to purpose – virtual meetings are encouraged”, as told to TOI by an IIM-A spokesperson. 

Similarly, IIT Gandhinagar has restricted the gatherings of more than four persons. To ensure the rule, the institute has further appointed student volunteers on the campus. 

“Those not wearing masks are fined Rs 1,000. Outside entry is only through prior approval. Double vaccination certificate and taking the temperature is mandatory,” as stated to TOI by an IIT Gandhinagar official. 

In addition to the bio-bubble, both the institutes ordered the students to maintain an isolation period of seven days upon their arrival on the campus. Once they arrive, the students also have to take the mandatory RT-PCR test. They will be allowed to stay on campus if the test result comes out as negative. To some extent, the institutions have also restricted outside food. 

During the first week of January, IIM-A recorded approximately 113 COVID cases, ranging from 7 cases daily on average. Since the beginning of the pandemic, IIM-A has recorded 579 cases whereas IIT Gandhinagar has recorded 267 cases on its campus by the end of the second wave. 

Also Read: LU Postpones Semester Exams due to Rising Covid Cases

Earlier, due to the COVID situation, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan decided to shut the schools in the state. Many other state Governments have postponed the earlier scheduled examinations due to the pandemic situation. 

Through an official letter, the Odisha Education Ministry directed the Chancellors and Heads of several universities not to conduct any PG or UG Semester examinations up until further notice.

Delhi University has also postponed the Open Book Examination and set the new date on July 10, 2022. The admit card for the GATE 2022 exam has also been postponed by IIT- Kharagpur.

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