Health ministry shares revised SOP for conducting exams; Check details here

Guwahati: The union health ministry has issued a revised set of guidelines for conducting exams. NEET 2020 candidates who will be appearing for the all-India medical entrance exam must follow the SOPs.

The new SOPs have been prepared after the Supreme Court shot down pleas to postpone the NEET 2020 amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Now, the exams will be held on September 13 at various exam centres across India.

Revised SOP for NEET 2020 and other exams is as follows:

1. Only those examination centers which are outside the containment zone shall be allowed to function.

2. Staff or examinees from containment zones shall not be permitted.

3. Such examinees shall be given an opportunity to undertake the examination through other means or the universities/educational institution/agency may consider appropriate measures in this regard.

4. For pen and paper-based tests (like NEET 2020), the invigilator will sanitize his hands prior to the distribution of question papers or answer sheets.

5. The examinees will also sanitize their hands before receiving such papers and handing them back to invigilators.

6. The collection and packing of the answer sheets, at every stage, will involve the sanitization of the hands.

7. The answer sheets will preferably be opened up after 72 hours have elapsed after the collection of papers.

8. The use of spit or saliva for counting or distributing sheets shall not be allowed.

9. Sharing of personal belongings or stationery shall not be allowed.

10. For online or computer-based examinations, the systems shall be disinfected using alcohol wipes before and after the exam is conducted.

Guidelines to follow if people exhibit COVID-198 symptoms inside the examination center:

Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others.

The person will remain isolated while wearing a mask/face cover until such time he/she is examined by a doctor.

If symptoms deteriorate, inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline.

A risk assessment shall be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding the management of the case, his/her contacts, and need for disinfection.

Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.

Other SOP details for exam conduction:

1. Generic preventative measures will all be in places such as maintaining a 6-feet distance, using face covers and masks, frequent hand-washing, using sanitisers, following respiratory etiquette, self-monitoring of health, the prohibition of spitting, and advisable installation of the Aarogya Setu App.

2. All areas inside the exam hall should be sanitized frequently and effectively especially surfaces which are touched often.

3. High-risk individuals like elderly pregnant or individuals with medical conditions will not be given invigilation duty. They can be given tasks that do not need direct contact with students.

4. Exams need to be conducted in a staggered manner and proper seating needs to be ensured while maintaining social distancing.

5. Exam functionaries and examinees may submit a self-declaration on their health status.

6. Adequate manpower should be employed to maintain discipline and for crowd management.

7. In case transportation is arranged by the educational institutions, the vehicles need to be properly sanitized.

8. Only asymptomatic candidates shall be allowed in the exam hall, while the asymptomatic candidate has to be referred to the nearest health centre and given the opportunity to undertake the exam through other means.

9. Examinees will be frisked only after thermal screening.

In the document, the ministry makes it clear that educational institutions or conducting bodies can place more measures in place to ensure Covid-19 safety.

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