KOZHIKODE: As the Nipah scare hangs in the air, the district administration has issued directions to stop all public programmes including inaugural ceremonies and other government events for the next 10 days. Besides, the Calicut University has closed down all its teaching departments, coaching centres and off-campus centres until May 31 and postponed exams. The decision was after the government issued a circular not to conduct any public programmes in Kozhikode till May 31 after the viral outbreak.
"The new examination dates will be declared later after the condition settles down," said Vice-chancellor Dr Mohammed Basheer. "It is indeed a grave concern. Hence we could not take any risk on the safety of students and staff." The Vice-Chancellor said he had received directives from the collectors of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. This order also applies to the research scholars on the campus, who were asked to stay away from the academic activities.
The common post-graduate entrance examinations scheduled for May 25 and 26 were also postponed. As per the direction from the District Panchayath, the skill development centres in the district will be closed for the next 10 days. The public programmes booked at various auditoriums and public places also will be postponed.
The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) has postponed the OMR exam for civil police officers scheduled for May 26. The exams scheduled in all districts stand postponed. District collector U.V. Jose said all these measures were taken just to reduce the anxiety and panic. "Without community participation, it will be difficult to tackle these kinds of viral strains," he told Deccan Chronicle. "We are making efforts to ensure the virus does not spread further."
