IBA to remain shut for two days after student contracts Covid-19

Only two days after educational institutions were reopened across the country after six months, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi has been closed for two days after the emergence of a Covid-19 case on Wednesday.

Both the Karachi University and city campus located in metropolis' Garden locality will remain closed and all educational activities during the aforementioned period would be suspended while students and teachers would not be allowed to enter the premises of both the campuses. However, the spokesperson of IBA said that non-teaching faculty members would continue their duties as per routine.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the first case emerged in the hostel of the IBA's Karachi University campus. The affected student had recently joined the university from Islamabad and had been taking classes along with other students.

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They said that the administration has decided to disinfect both campuses to stop the spread of contagious disease.

Other sources revealed that the standard operation procedures (SPOs) provided by the government were not being followed in the IBA as cafeteria and canteen have also been opened where a large number of students gather.

They said that many students and teachers were seen using the elevators of both campuses, without even wearing masks or following other SOPs.

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The sources said that the air-conditioning system of city campuses' Aman Tower was not working properly and due to the intense heat, many students and teachers were not wearing masks.

IBA spokesperson Haris Siddiqui, when contacted, did not confirm the closure. He also did not verify the number of cases that have emerged from both the campuses. "With the assistance of district administration, we have managed to conduct hundreds of Covid tests and the results were being awaited," he added.

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He further said the student, whose Covid-19 test came out positive, has been isolated in the hostel.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2020.