Karnataka School Reopening Date: New COVID Guidelines Issued for Students, Staff As Cases Rise

Ahead of the Karnataka school reopening in June, the state government has issued a fresh set of COVID-19 safety guidelines for both government and private institutions. The decision follows a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 26, amid growing concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in the state.

The guidelines are designed to protect the health of students and staff as schools gear up to resume physical classes. Authorities have stressed the importance of early detection and isolation of symptomatic individuals. Children showing signs of illness-such as fever, cough, or cold-should not be sent to school and should return only after a full recovery.

Schools have been instructed to monitor students closely during school hours. If any child develops symptoms on campus, they must be sent home immediately and parents must be informed without delay. Similar precautions are advised for teaching and non-teaching staff, who have been urged to stay away from school if they are unwell.

In line with COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), schools are also expected to promote hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and overall cleanliness. The government has emphasized strict adherence to these preventive measures during the Karnataka school reopening phase.

The move comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are steadily climbing across the state. As of May 31, the Department of Health and Family Welfare reported 114 new infections in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to over 367 since January 2025.

Meanwhile, India has recorded 2,710 active COVID-19 cases - a sharp rise from 1,000-mark cases just five days earlier on May 25. The spike is largely linked to the emergence of new variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, detected in states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

A third COVID-related death in Karnataka was reported on May 25. A 62-year-old man from Mysuru, who had multiple health complications, succumbed to septic shock with multiple organ dysfunction. Posthumous reports confirmed he was positive for COVID pneumonia and also diagnosed with hyponatremia (low sodium levels), making this the third fatality linked to the virus in the current wave.

With the onset of the monsoon and a possible spike in seasonal infections, the government has urged schools, parents, and students to remain cautious and strictly follow health protocols during the Karnataka school reopening period.