IIT-Bombay to relax norms on campus, post-vaccine – Times of India

Mumbai: Two weeks after it conducted a campus vaccination drive, IIT-Bombay has decided to relax a few lockdown norms. From Monday, mess in larger hostels and canteens, some of which were only distributing meals, will allow dine-in options. A soft quarantine period of seven days will be allowed, instead of 14, for partially-vaccinated students who are travelling back to the campus or for those who stay outside the campus for more than a day. A negative RT-PCR test report will also be sought from such students. Final-year students are likely to be called to the campus this month, though it will be voluntary.
“With most students partially vaccinated by now, the campus is planning to take gradual and cautious steps to relax some of the norms. Students’ safety will remain top priority. For the campus residents, the government norms will be applicable, but we are lifting some restrictions in the hostel area,” said Tapanendu Kundu, dean, students’ affairs, adding dine-in options in a few larger hostels will be available with some conditions.
With strict lockdown rules, several students have undergone over three to four full quarantine of 14 days each. This has also added to their mental stress, said a professor. Some rules are being relaxed by taking all precautions. Students who go outside the campus but return on the same day will not be quarantined. From their experience in the last few months, the authorities have found a seven-day quarantine could be helpful too. It is only for students returning to campus, he added.
In an article in the campus magazine, Insight, the students have mentioned that labs are expected to open too. “Final-year students will remain top priority like before (for the campus reboot committee). Other students will be called only when the cases continue to fall and a significant percentage of campus residents and incoming students have been fully vaccinated,” the article states.