Hostels may be opened only in cases where it is necessary while strictly observing the safety and health preventive measures, the University Grants Commission said in its guidelines for reopening colleges and universities on Thursday.

"However, the sharing of rooms may not be allowed in hostels. Symptomatic students should not be permitted to stay in the hostels under any circumstances," the recent guidelines added. The UGC has released a detailed list of safety measures to be followed by higher educational institutes before the reopening of campuses as well as when classes will re-start. Stating the guidelines for hostels, the UGC said in its notice, "Since residential students may be coming from different locations, they shall remain in quarantine and self-monitor their health for a period of 14 days before being allowed to attend classes or as per the policy opted by the State Government for quarantine (even if they bring a negative test report or the university/college plan to test them on arrival)."
 
Other measures include:

- Thermal Screening of all resident students should be ensured.

- Cleanliness is to be maintained in dining areas. Meals should be served in small batches, avoiding overcrowding. Take away options should be available for students and staff.

- It must be ensured that the meals are freshly cooked. A senior staff should monitor the same.

- Hostels may define the number of students in dining halls at any point in time.

- Mess timings may be increased to avoid overcrowding.

- Sharing of books, other learning material and eatables be discouraged.

- If they fall sick or show symptoms, students will be referred to the nearest COVID-19 treatment facility for clinical assessment and treatment