With just a day left for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, September 13, as many as 15.67 lakh candidates are getting ready to appear for the only national level examination for admission to medical and dental undergraduate courses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, detailed SOP has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure that the exams are conducted safely.
Here is what the students need to follow before and after the exams:
- The candidates would be thermally scanned before entering the campus: If the temperature is less than 37.4°C/99.4°F, they would move to frisk personnel for frisking and if the temperature is more than 37.4°C/99.4°F, and found symptomatic, they should be referred to the nearest health centre and provided a chance to appear for the test through other modes or the educational institution shall make provisions for taking the exam at a later date when the student is deemed fit.
- Local Helpline Number for COVID-19 be displayed prominently at the examination centres and used when required.
- If a person is found COVID-19 positive the guidelines ask them to be placed in a room or area where they are isolated from others. The person would remain isolated while wearing a mask/face cover until such time he/she is examined by a doctor. In case symptoms deteriorate, the nearest medical facility must be informed or the state or district helpline number must be called.
- On completion of the exam, the candidates would be permitted to move out in an orderly manner – One candidate at a time. The gloves and masks would be disposed of in a pedal push covered bin at the Examination Centre and outside the examination room/hall only.
"Exam functionary and examinees may also submit self-declaration about health status at the time of entrance to the examination centre. Such self-declaration form may be circulated at the time of issue of admitting tickets,” the guidelines said. "If any examination functionary or examinee fails to meet the self-declaration criteria, they shall not be allowed entry," the SOP emphasised.
Meanwhile, West Bengal, Odisha and Punjab have lifted their curfews or lockdown to facilitate smooth conduct of the NEET examinations. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday announced that there will be no curfew in the state this Sunday to facilitate free movement of students appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
"Keeping their interest in mind, while keeping the statewide lockdown as it is on Sep 11th, it has been decided to cancel the lockdown on 12th, so that the students can attend the examination on 13th without any apprehensions or concerns," WB CM Mamata Banerjee had tweeted. The Odisha government has also made elaborate arrangements to facilitate free transportation and accommodation for candidates appearing for the NEET examination on Sunday in 83 centres across seven cities in the state, an official said.
