Reopening Education Institutions In J&K: Vaccination sites come up in colleges; students, teachers need to come forward

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: As the colleges and universities have reopened in Jammu and Kashmir, the administration is making every possible effort to provide students and teachers with COVID-19 jabs to prevent educational institutions from turning into hotspots.

Chief Medical Officer Srinagar on Monday issued a circular stating that as the threat of COVID-19 third wave is looming large, in this context vaccination sites have been established in colleges of district Srinagar. “All the students, teachers and non-teaching staff should come forward for vaccination of first and second dose when due,” the circular stated.

An official of the Health Department while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “The administration is aware of the possibility of the third wave breaking out. In order to prevent the situation from taking an ugly turn, vaccination sites are being increased. People need to come forward and get inoculated without any delay.”

He said that the vaccination drive is continuing at a fast pace and health workers are trying their best to reach out to the people. “More and more people getting vaccinated has helped in delaying the possibility of the third wave breaking out but the COVID-19 is far from over and it can raise its ugly head at any point of time,” the official added.

An observer said, “For education sector to come back on track, vaccination is a must. It only can help us in developing herd immunity. The COVID-19 jabs have proved successful vis-à-vis adults. People are eagerly waiting for the vaccine doses for the children as it would pave the way for reopening of schools in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Reopening of colleges and varsities is a big respite for the students. But they have to be careful and need to ensure that they don’t end up in trouble by acting carelessly,” he said, adding, “Following SOPs is important. Complacency can lead to a catastrophe and no one can afford it at this point of time. All of us have to give up vaccine hesitancy so that we are able to defeat the pandemic once for all.”

A student said, “We are happy that our offline classes are about to start. During the past two years we have missed a lot of things we don’t want to suffer anymore. Taking precautions is in our own hands and it’s for our own safety. If we want the colleges to function without any disruption we have to remain careful. Precautions hold the key.”

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