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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Zeeshan Javed | TNN

West Bengal: Life returns to canteens, common rooms as campuses ease Covid curbs

KOLKATA: Colleges and universities have started easing some restrictions on campus that were put in place in compliance of Covid safety guidelines by the state government when the education sector reopened in February.

While some have reopened canteens for the students to sit and eat (earlier students could only purchase), others have given access to common rooms and indoor games areas. Several universities and colleges are also preparing for their annual fests and sports events.

Earlier, the restrictions were enforced to prevent big gatherings on the campus to control Covid spread, but now the authorities are lifting restrictions to resume normal activities. However, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing is still mandatory on campus.

Jadavpur University opened its Amenity Centre Students’ Canteen on March 24 after a gap of two years. Students can access the eating arena from noon to 2.30pm.

“When the university reopened in February, we kept some of the services suspended to prevent spread of infection. Now the cases have dipped and both central and state governments are lifting restrictions. We are also easing some of the restrictions, so that campus life returns to normal. But everyone will have to follow safety guidelines,” said an official of the university.

The sports week, part of Presidency University’s annual fest Icon, got underway on Monday. The main fest is scheduled from the second week of April. Cultural events leading up to the main event will start in a couple of days.

Several colleges and universities that had restricted students from using the common rooms, union rooms and indoor game areas, have now granted access.

Most institutions allowed students to celebrate Holi on the campus a day before the festival.

Asutosh College held its annual sports last week after two years. Registration for the Jadavpur University annual sports has already started.

“We are following all the safety guidelines but trying to lift restrictions in a phased manner,” said an official of Asutosh College.

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