CHENNAI: Strict Covid-19 protocol including mandatory Covid-19 test and quarantine has limited attendance in colleges to 20%-50% since institutions reopened for final year undergraduate and postgraduate students on Monday.
Despite expressing interest initially, many students didn’t turn up. Many colleges, in view of IIT Madras Covid cluster, have closed canteens and are offering only takeaways At Loyola College, which is conducting classes in both offline and online mode, around 60% of final year students showed interest in attending physical classes.
“But, only 30% turned up,” said principal Thomas Amirtham. Many found it tough as rules like social distancing were implemented strictly and hostel students had to take a Covid test before coming, he said, adding that of the 500 hostel students, only 300 came. At Madras Christian College, where Covid tests were mandatory, around 400 students came on the first day. “Around 100 students took the RTPCR test,” said principal Paul Wilson. Security personnel were told to prevent gathering of students on campus and ensure wearing of masks. The college canteen was shut and four counters opened for takeaways.
At DG Vaishnav College, there was an increase of 10% compared to December. “More may come after the Pongal holidays,” said principal S Santhosh Baboo.
Stella Maris college principal Rosy Joseph said the attendance was 50% and that students coming from outside the state and country were being quarantined. “We are using lecture halls and bigger classrooms where can maintain social distancing even with full attendance,” she said.