DHAKA, – The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have reopened its all residential halls for the students after a long closure of one-and-a-half-years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, second, and third-year students with identity cards and proof of taking at least one doze of vaccines were allowed to their respective halls from 8am today maintaining social distance and following health guidelines, Chairman of the provost standing committee Abdul Bashir told BSS today.

Earlier, in the first phase on October 5, the university opened the residential halls for its honours fourth year and master’s students who received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, he added.

There are handwashing stations at the entrances of every hall and the body temperatures of students are being measured.

“We have welcomed back our students to the hall with flowers, face masks and chocolates like the first phase, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall Provost Dr Masudur Rahman told BSS.

Students were seen to get into the halls in a much disciplined way and spontaneously maintaining all the rules, regulation and health guidelines, he added.

“I am feeling very happy and excited for coming back to my hall after a long. I have met my friends, juniors and seniors as they are like my family members. In fact, it is difficult to imagine varsity life without the hall,” Fatimatuzzahra Eli, a third-year student of the Political Science department and also a residential student of Ruqayyah Hall.

“It’s really exciting to come back to halls as most of our academic activities, materials and set-up are hall centric,” said Rezaul Karim Riyad, a third-year-student of Management department also residential student of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall.

The process and arrangements of hall authorities regarding health safety issues while welcoming the students were good enough, he added.

On October 5, after vaccinating all the students of the university, in-person classes will be resumed from October 17, after a long closure of one and half year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The dorms had remained close since March 20 last year following the outbreak of Covid-19 in Bangladesh which prompted the government to shut down education institutes across the country.