Health Ministry issues revised guidelines for NEET 2020 and other exams

The union health ministry has issued a revised SOP or standard operating procedure for conducting exams. NEET 2020 candidates who will be appearing for the all-India medical entrance exam need to follow the SOPs alongside the conducting bodies.

Supreme Court shot down pleas to postpone NEET 2020 and it was decided that the exam would be held amidst all precautions on September 13 at various exam centres across India.

Revised SOP's:

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 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.

What to do if a person shows Covid-19 symptoms during the exam:

. 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 till 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 management of 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 place such as maintaining 6-feet distance, using face covers and masks, frequent hand-washing, using sanitisers, following respiratory etiquette, self-monitoring of health, prohibition of spitting, and advisable installation of Aarogya Setu App.

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

3. High-risk individuals like elderly pregnant or individuals with medical conditions will not eb 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 tri 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 sanitised.

8. Only asymptomatic candidates shall be allowed in the exam hall, while a symptomatic 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.