New Delhi, Schools will partially reopen for students of Classes IX to XII from September 21 with the observance of physical distancing of at least six feet, use of mandatory face covers/masks and frequent handwashing with soap.Under the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Health Ministry, spitting shall be strictly prohibited and installation and use of Aarogya Setu App have been advised wherever feasible.Schools, which had been forced to go online since classes resumed, can now look forward to resuming classes in the higher secondary level by September 21. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Wednesday said the Government of India would follow a phase-wise unlocking of activities from September 21 involving partial resumption of classes for students of Class 9th to 12th on a voluntary basis.”Government of India is following a phase-wise unlocking of activities. In days to come, this would also involve partial resumption of activities in schools for students of classes 9th to 12th on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers, for taking guidance from their teachers.”He said in a series of tweets, “The SOP outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be taken by schools to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”Also favoured were the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, strict following of respiratory etiquettes such as covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow, and self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App have been advised wherever feasible.