Amid the rising COVID-19 in the country many top institutes in India are opting to create bio-bubbles for students. Under this concept, fully vaccinated individuals will not be allowed to mingle with the outside world to avoid major spread of the virus.
Institute such as IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Gandhinagar after recording several numbers of the COVID-19 cases in their campus decided to create a bio-bubble for students to keep them safe.
According to leading newspaper reports, IIM-A has allowed only resident students on campus, even as the classes are conducted online. “All movements are subject to permission from the Students Activities Office (SAO). Gatherings are not allowed and visits from the outside are subject to purpose – virtual meetings are encouraged,” IIM-A spokesperson said.
IIT-Gandhinagar has barred the gathering of more than four persons. The institute has also appointed student volunteers appointed to ensure that COVID-19 protocols are followed. “Those not wearing masks are fined Rs 1,000. Outside entry is only through prior approval. Double vaccination certificate and taking the temperature is mandatory,” said IIT Gandhinagar official.
Also, both the institutes are following an isolation period of seven days upon arrival and has made negative RT-PCR report mandatory to be on the campus. Outside food is also restricted to some extent.
During the first week of January, IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) recorded 113 COVID cases, at an average of 7.5 cases daily. Whereas, IIT Gandhinagar recorded a few new mild cases. According to TOI, IIM-A has, since the start of the pandemic, recorded 579 cases, whereas IIT-Ghandhinagar had recorded 267 cases on campus by the end of the second wave.