IBA to remain shut for two days after student contracts Covid-19
Affected student isolated in hostel; administration to disinfect both campuses
KARACHI:
Only two days after educational institutions were reopened across the country after six months, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi has been closed for two days after the emergence of a Covid-19 case on Wednesday.
Both the Karachi University and city campus located in metropolis' Garden locality will remain closed and all educational activities during the aforementioned period would be suspended while students and teachers would not be allowed to enter the premises of both the campuses. However, the spokesperson of IBA said that non-teaching faculty members would continue their duties as per routine.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the first case emerged in the hostel of the IBA's Karachi University campus. The affected student had recently joined the university from Islamabad and had been taking classes along with other students.
They said that the administration has decided to disinfect both campuses to stop the spread of contagious disease.
Other sources revealed that the standard operation procedures (SPOs) provided by the government were not being followed in the IBA as cafeteria and canteen have also been opened where a large number of students gather.
They said that many students and teachers were seen using the elevators of both campuses, without even wearing masks or following other SOPs.
The sources said that the air-conditioning system of city campuses' Aman Tower was not working properly and due to the intense heat, many students and teachers were not wearing masks.
IBA spokesperson Haris Siddiqui, when contacted, did not confirm the closure. He also did not verify the number of cases that have emerged from both the campuses. "With the assistance of district administration, we have managed to conduct hundreds of Covid tests and the results were being awaited," he added.
He further said the student, whose Covid-19 test came out positive, has been isolated in the hostel.
Yet they are willing to take risk and continue their operations ! No doubt this pandemic will be treated as a normal flue from 2021.
Dr Asad IBA This refers to my earlier note to Dr Zaidi on this topic. A number of points which i learnt through my child 1- Class rooms do not have 6 feet distancing, a standard, endorsed by W.H.O 2- Elevators do not have any restriction on the number of students. Major issue 3-IT room is jam packed, paucity of space 4- Students often walk around without a mask Please understand that these are issues bearing serious health implications for faculty and for students. Any one of these issues could be a source of virus spread. Though i am concerned for every one in the institute however my daughter has asthma and any exposure, God forbid, could be a serious health issue for her. My sincere request is to kindly offer in person and online classes both as this will help in the division of population besides exercising safe practices. We all are hopeful that Allah willingly we will have the vaccination in the market very soon and life will be back to normal, till then let’s protect everyone of us. Every single life is important.
Wonder if there is an iota of truth in claim by old graduates that 50 of the recently admitted students are infected?