As theschools in Goa are set for a partial re-opening of classes of Std X and XII,several Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been put in place to ensurethe safety of students in the time of the pandemic. These measures need to beobserved by all students, teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools at alltimes. The various protocols announced are to be followed when the students arewithin the school premises. But then what about the safety norms to be followedwhen students travel to and from the schools? Safety measures may be followedby students travelling to school in their own vehicles. However, precautionsalso need to be put in place by the school authorities if students travel bythe school bus. The school bus needs to be sanitized after each and every trip.Students need to maintain social distancing while boarding or alighting fromthe bus. Only 50 per cent of the sitting capacity of the bus should be occupiedwith every alternate seat being kept vacant. The staff of the school bus,including the driver, need to undergo thermal scanning before each trip.Following safety measures in the school bus is as important as maintaining itwhen students are within the school premises. If adequate precaution is notfollowed in the school bus, it could prove risky for the students travelling init.
