New Delhi, Aug 10 - The Delhi government Monday advised educational institutes not to shut down if their students show swine flu symptoms, and said 'the current magnitude of the spread of H1N1 infection is fairly mild'.

Delhi's Health and Family Welfare Minister Kiran Walia said institutes are instead advised to allow students and staff members who have flu like symptoms like fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing to stay at home for seven to 10 days.

'The current magnitude of the spread of H1N1 infection and the current virus is fairly mild,' the health minister said in the guidelines given to schools and colleges across Delhi.

'Educational institutes should not insist on the production of a medical certificate by the student or staff member,' Walia said.

In case of students staying in institutes' hostels, health should be monitored of both students as well as care providers.

However, the boarder is advised not to be sent back home if tested positive of H1N1 because that may lead to spread of the infection. Local health providers should instead be informed so that proper care can be taken.