[COVID-19 Vaccination] Karnataka High Court urges State to include teaching, non-teaching staff of schools in category of frontline workers

The Karnataka High Court on Monday urged the State government to include teaching as well as non-teaching staff of schools in the category of frontline workers for the purpose of COVID-19 vaccination. .A Division Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and P Krishna Bhat directed the State government to place on record a district wise break up of teaching and non-teaching staff in both government and aided schools who have been vaccinated till now. .The Bench further orally opined that vaccination would be the first step before deciding on the issue of reopening of schools. .Notably, the Court also noted that it cannot direct the State government to open schools on a certain date as this would be up to the State government after taking into account the opinion of experts and keeping in view the COVID-19 situation in the state..The Court was hearing a plea seeking the re-opening of schools which have remained shut on account of the COVID-19 pandemic..When the matter was taken up for hearing, the Court observed, "When the cases were ebbing, they (State) conducted the SSLC. But now in some districts of the State, the curve is seen to be again rising and thus a decision will have to be accordingly taken by the State government...".The Court added, "It should not happen that schools reopen and infection spreads among children.".In a previous hearing, the government had told the Court that a special committee had been constituted for considering the reopening of the schools. .The recommendations made by that committee have been placed on July 15 before the State Government and a decision would be taken with regard to the reopening of the schools, the Court was told..Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that in addition to teaching staff, non-teaching staff should also be vaccinated. .Before beginning physical attendance of children, schools must be well-prepared through sanitization and cleaning of the school premises, orientation for teachers and staff vis-à-vis new standard operating protocols, and all safeguards necessary for when the children attend the schools physically, it was noted..Therefore, Kothari contended that the State may be directed to take steps, at least with respect to the preparations prior to the stage when children can attend schools physically..The matter has been adjourned till August 12. .[Read order]