6 days ago
Schools in Madurai district step up precautionary measures for COVID-19
As few COVID-19 cases are being reported in the State in the last few days, schools in Madurai district have quietly stepped up their precautionary measures to avoid any form of infections among students.
As per the health officials, though no formal guidelines have been issued, many schools have taken proactive steps to ensure students stayed safe without sparking unnecessary fear.
While some institutions were cautious about giving instructions directly to students, others have promoted everyday hygiene as a regular habit.
At the Government Model School in Austinpatti, few teachers have begun wearing masks on their own initiative, hoping students would mirror the small acts of responsibility.
Elumalai Government Girls Higher Secondary School administration has been encouraging students to take bathe daily, wash their hands regularly, and maintain personal hygiene.
Similarly, at Keelaiyur Government High School, the school administration has distributed soap oil, and students have been advised not to touch commonly used surfaces and to help keep classrooms and shared spaces clean.
In addition to these efforts, Madura College Higher Secondary School has instructed its students to wear masks, and for those without one, the school distributes masks free of charge.
The school administration said that the admission process was also conducted with masks in place.
To further promote hygiene, three wash basins near the entrance have been reinstated for regular handwashing, they added.
Private schools in Madurai district are equally careful. They have been guiding students to eat well, build immunity, and adopt healthy habits.
'Though there are no active COVID-19 cases in the district, as a general instruction by the Department of Public Health, schools can advise the children to wear masks, control overcrowding at closed spaces or on the premises and those unwell can be advised to take leave as a preventive measure,' a senior official from the Health Department of the Madurai Corporation said.
Also, young children, especially in primary classes, should be made aware of basic hygiene through simple, age-appropriate methods which they can easily understand and follow, the official added.
K. Devi Meenakshi
