Addressing a virtual press briefing, the minister said the residential halls of the universities will be reopened on May 17.

The students, teachers and staffers will be vaccinated against Covid-19 before the reopening of the universities, Dipu Moni said, adding that decision on reopening of schools and colleges has not been taken yet.

The university students will have to be vaccinated before moving into the residential halls for health security amid Coronavirus pandemic, she said.

Also read: National qualification framework to be formed: Dipu Moni

The online classes will continue but no examination will be held before the reopening of the universities, the minister added.

Dipu Moni instructed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures so that Covid-19 health guidelines could be maintained after the resumption of classes.

A group of people have been trying to destabilize the government and are patronizing students to break down the locked doors of residential halls, Dipu said adding that “Some are trying to use their university hall seats for preparation of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination.”

Also read: HSC results in Jan after issuance of ordinance: Dipu Moni

She directed all of the’ troublemakers’ to vacate the halls shortly.

The government shut all the schools and educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country confirmed its first Covid-19 cases on March 8.

The closure was extended several times, most recently until February 28 this year, to protect the students from the virus infections.

Online classes are going on at different educational institutions.

The decision of reopening public universities came amid demonstrations by students of different public universities, including Jahangirnagar University and Rajshhai University, demanding the reopening of dormitories.

Besides, the Covid-19 situation has been improving in Bangladesh steadily in recent weeks. A countrywide vaccination drive was launched on Feb 7.

On May 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised governments that before reopening, the rates of positivity in testing should remain at 5% or lower for at least 14 days.

Also read: Classes to resume on a limited scale: Dipu Moni

Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s health authorities on Sunday reported seven coronavirus-related deaths and 327 new cases.

Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.

The daily infection rate was 2.33% on Sunday which was 3.14% on Saturday, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Also read: SSC exams in June, HSC July-Aug: Dipu Moni

So far, 543,351 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed, including 8,349 fatalities.

According to the latest figures, the overall infection rate stood at 13.76% which was 13.8% percent on Saturday. The rate is expected to fall further as a countrywide coronavirus vaccination drive is underway.

The mortality rate remained steady at 1.54% since Saturday, the DGHS handout said.