IIT Delhi asks students to vacate hostels by March 15

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology here has directed students to leave hostels by Sunday in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

"In view of the current COVID-19 epidemic, as a preventive measure decided by the competent authority, the students are required to leave the hostels positively by midnight of March 15, 2020.

"There is no need to vacate the room though. Please fill the entry and exit register of the hostel concerned and the mess rebate form. This applies to students currently living in Nalanda and IP Apartments and in off-campus hostels in Katwaria Sarai and Jia Sarai also," Dean of Student Affairs Rajesh Khanna said in an official communication. The institute had on Thursday announced suspension of classes and all events till March 31.

"PhD students may stay back if their research is in crucial stage. Foreign students who are staying within the campus may also stay," Khanna said.

Meanwhile, the Jamia Millia Islamia suspended classes on Friday with immediate effect till March 31 and advised students to avoid large gathering.

The university also decided to close all schools run by it till March 31, but said board examinations would continue according to schedule.

"Teachers should make study material available to students, who need any assistance, online. Teachers should contact the students via email for reference of study material available online," the university said.

Face-to-face, group interaction or gathering of students were to be avoided till March 31. Internal assessment would be provided online, it said.

"Seminars/conferences to be postponed with immediate effect and stay in the guest house to be restricted till March 31. University examinations will continue to be conducted as per schedule," the university added.

Earlier in the day, the Jawaharlal Nehru University ordered suspension of classes with immediate effect till March 31.

However, routine office work will remain unaffected, the university said as it directed all officers, faculty members and staff to be present for duty.

"In view of the situation arising out of coronavirus (COVID-19), it is hereby notified that all lectures, class presentations and examinations at JNU are suspended until March 31 with immediate effect," the varsity's Registrar Pramod Kumar said.

Conducting any event such as seminars/conferences/workshops in the campus during this period that require gathering of people should be postponed, he said.