At the British Council, the health and safety of all our visitors, staff and the communities in which we operate is our top priority. We support and cooperate with all local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of all with whom we engage in the course of our operations. This post is to keep UK institutions updated on key South Asian markets amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. For travel advice, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth an Development Office (FCDO) updates, and we would encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also strongly encourage visiting local government health websites to stay abreast of the prevailing health advisory and precautionary measures in any country. For IELTS test arrangements as a result of novel coronavirus precautions, please see  https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus.

Though it's important to note the IELTS indicator has now been launched and regular IELTS testing has begun in some markets. Click here for more details. We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. For more South Asia updates, webinars, market insights and other services in international higher education, please continue to visit the IES website.

India:

India has reported more than 5 million Covid-19 cases so far and seconds USA in total number of cases across the globe.
The government announced unlock 4.0 on 29 August 2020 and has provided major relaxations. Metro services in the cities have started and the government now allows social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political gatherings with a maximum 100 people with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand-wash or sanitiser

Opening of cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatres) are still prohibited.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/india/
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-unlock-4-0-guidelines-6575245/

Schools and colleges 

Schools and colleges remain largely closed until 30 September as per unlock 4.0 guideline by the government. Class 9 to 12 students are permitted to visit schools for any guidance or consultation required. But the implementation of this guideline differs from state to state. States like Uttarakhand are not willing to open schools even for consultation, while states like Delhi, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have allowed class 9 to 12 students to visit teachers at schools for guidance.

In higher education, institutions can be opened only for research scholars and postgraduate students requiring laboratory/ experimental works.

https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-schools-colleges-not-to-reopen-under-unlock-4-education-minister-makes-big-announcement-2843202

As per the University Grants Commission (UCG) guidelines, all final year exams are to be concluded by 30 September 2020. The supreme court has given leverage to the states that they can postpone exams under Disaster Management Act, but they cannot promote final year students without conducting exams. Ministry of Health has issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting university exams, which will serve as a guide to colleges and universities on safety measures. Some of the measures students will undergo are thermal screening, staff involved in frisking will wear gloves; triple layered medical mask, provision of isolation centre for any student or staff who are found symptomatic at the exam centre, sanitisation of the area pre and post exam etc. The ministry prohibits institutions to conduct exams in centres inside Covid-19 containment zones.  

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/sc-says-final-year-university-exams-should-be-held-by-30-september-11598592688898.html
https://www.ndtv.com/education/ministry-of-health-issues-standard-operating-procedures-for-holding-exams
https://www.ndtv.com/education/health-ministry-sop-on-exams-no-university-entrance-exams-in-covid-19-containment-zones

UKVI guidelines around late examinations will help UK HEIs take decisions around how they can accept PG applications. 
https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/news/market-news/ukvi-guidelines-uk-heis-recruiting-indian-students-affected-delayed-final-year  

Flights to and from UK and other international destinations + domestic flights

India has signed pacts with seven countries UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, the UAE and the Maldives, which allows international flights between the countries.

https://www.cntraveller.in/story/latest-india-air-bubbles-who-can-fly-where-travel-bubble-usa-uk-germany-france/

Domestic flights in the country has resumed since May and by September 50 per cent of flights have resumed. Passenger capacity has been increased to 60 per cent now, which was 33 per cent when it was resumed.

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/aviation/domestic-flights-covid-60-per-cent-6580549/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/50-of-domestic-flight-operations-started-in-september-hardeep-puri/articleshow/78152517.cms

Status of VACs

Most Visa Application Centres (VACs) are now open for students to apply for their visas. More continue to open as per government directive. Major VACs like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata offering Priority Visa services as well.

Status of IELTS

IELTS testing is available in multiple locations in India now both in paper-based and computer-delivered modes. Find more details about locations here

Government updates

Indian government has recently announced National Education Policy which brings many changes to the education system from school to university level and brings more opportunity for foreign universities to collaborate with Indian HEIs. Please find more detail here. 

https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/insights-blog/india%E2%80%99s-new-education-policy-2020-highlights-and-opportunities 

Nepal:

On 16 September, a meeting of chief district officers (CDO) of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur announced an extension of the prohibitory orders. The Government has authorised local district administration authorities to impose lockdowns within their jurisdictions, depending on the number of Covid-19 cases. Total cases in Nepal is reported at just over 50K as of 15 September.

Markets and restaurants are allowed to open following safety protocols starting 17 September. Before, Markets were allowed to open only on specific days and hours and restaurants were allowed to provide take away service only.

Status of IELTS 

The  Government has also issued an approval notice to run Language proficiency tests, like IELTS following which British Council Nepal has resumed IELTS and SELT testing in Kathmandu with additional safety measures in place. Available test dates can be found at https://www.britishcouncil.org.np/exam/ielts/book-test .

Schools and colleges

Educational Institutions and training centres remain closed and are running online classes and schools/colleges cannot run any exams until further notice.

Flights to and from UK and other international destinations + domestic flights

The Meeting of Council of Ministers have decided to allow the operation of domestic flights and public transports (long haul, medium and short distances) from 17 September 2020. All airlines and travel companies will have to adopt the necessary health protocols for both domestic flights and public transport.  Limited commercial international flights resumed from 2 September, the daily quota is to be increased from 800 to 3,000 passengers from October, with an RT-PCR test to be conducted 72 hours prior to travel with 14 days home quarantine upon arrival. Currently limited to Nepali passengers and officials of embassies and international agencies and their families, no tourists are allowed.

Odd-even system of vehicular movement inside Kathmandu valley, still remains until further notice. Vehicular movement entering and exiting Kathmandu valley maintaining safety protocols, is now allowed starting 17 September until further notice. Country borders still remain closed until 16 October.

Status of Visas

Department of Immigration has resumed visa services. Foreign citizens in country whose visa has expired can now renew their Visa. Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) in Nepal started their operation from 14 September.

Pakistan:

All business activities have resumed across the country. This includes, commercial activities, all industries, and most educational institutions.

Schools and colleges 

Since 15 September all education institutions across the country have resumed face-to-face delivery. From Grades 9-12, College Sector and HEIs were operationalised from 15 September, followed by Middle School (Grade 6-8) on 22 September and Primary sector (KG – 5) will open from 30 September. The Government is adopting strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the education sector including reduced class sizes, social distancing, face masks, use of sanitisers etc. Around 22 schools from across the country were sealed, after failure to comply with SOPs.

Flights to and from UK and other international destinations + domestic flights

Flights to and from Pakistan have been operational for more than a month now. International flight companies have started their flights due to the improving situation of Covid-19 in the country. British Airways operates daily between Islamabad and London and flights from Lahore to London will start from 2^nd week of October. Virgin Atlantic has also announced operations in Pakistan from December this year. Other major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar, Turkish etc have resumed their operations from August.

Status of VACs

VAC services all over the country are operational and are working in different capacities. Currently they are entertaining by appointments only customers. Islamabad VAC will launch Prime Time appointments (evenings and Saturdays).

Status of IELTS

British Council IELTS has started conducting its computer-delivered assessment tests from last week. Organisations like AEO and IDP have also resumed their testing services for IELTS, albeit mostly computer-based.

Government updates  

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has increased its financing limit for UK businesses looking to export to and invest in Pakistan to £1.5 billion.

Sri Lanka:

There have been no new Covid-19 cases reported within the community. All new cases reported are from amongst those returning to the country. Repatriation flights are in operation. However the government is considering limiting these due to the new daily cases.

Schools and colleges

All schools and colleges have now reopened with strict guidelines issued by the government. Most state exams have been postponed. (GCE A/L – October / GCE O/L – January)

Flights to and from UK and other international destinations + domestic flights

Outbound flights are in operation to select destinations. International airlines such as Sri Lankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways are operating flights on a daily/weekly basis. There are flights available to the UK as well. Quite a number of students have started returning to the UK to commence their studies. However incoming flights have been limited to only government operated repatriation flights. The opening of the airport has been postponed indefinitely.

Status of VACs

VACs are operating currently. A limited number of appointments are given on a daily basis.

Status of IELTS

British Council is conducting IELTS exams in a number of locations island-wide. Strict regulations are followed in terms of social distancing, sanitisations etc.

Government updates

New government has been appointed gaining two thirds majority. There are changes in key government personnel including Ministers, Secretaries. 2021-2030 has also been named as the ‘Skills development decade’ by the President.

If you have any questions please write to Aatreyee Guha Thakurta (Regional Marketing and Communications Manager, International Education Services, South Asia).