Chennai: The Tamilnadu government has allowed in-person classes for students of classes 1 to 8 from 1 November. The standard operating procedure issued in this regard must be strictly followed, it said.
A decision to this effect was taken considering the views expressed by the health experts, educationists, and parents that the absence of formal schooling has caused huge loss of learning as well as depression among the school children, Chief Minister M K Stalin said in a statement here. Already, regular classes for Standards 9 to 12 have been going on.
Places of worship would continue to be shut on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, an official release said. In a relaxation, the government said meetings at district Collectorates, every Monday, to address public grievances would be allowed and every month, similar gatherings to address farmers grievances shall be conducted.
Stalin has urged people to be cautious during the ensuing festival season and to avoid visiting crowded places to prevent a third wave of Covid-19. All commercial establishments should adhere to the guidelines issued by the State government.
Social, political, cultural gatherings, festivals, the consecration of places of worship will continue to be prohibited. All places of worship will continue to be closed on three weekend days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The activities already allowed by the government will continue in accordance with the guidelines issued for preventing Corona infection.