National Testing Agency (NTA) has released NEET 2020 COVID-19 advisory for the functionaries for the exam day. It has been released as a pdf on ntaneet.nic.in. The advisory is 7 pages long that includes Pre-Examination Controls / Measures, Exam Conduct Controls / Measures at Examination centers, and Post Examination Controls / Measures at Examination centers. NTA is all set to hold NEET 2020 on September 13, 2020. The exam will be held in offline mode across the centers in India.
The advisory states:
“Amidst COVID-19 pandemic, the NTA has drawn up a comprehensive plan for implementation based on relevant Instructions, Guidelines, and Orders. This has implications for all functionaries and has been added as a separate chapter. NTA is aware of the challenges and with your support and collaboration will address them in a timely manner.”
The advisory includes instructions for the candidates as well as for the authorities and parents to follow. Separate instructions for the candidates will be also issued to the candidates with the admit card. The advisory has some important changes that the candidates have to note specifically, these are:
Candidates will be called in slots to report at the center: The slots as per which the candidates have to report at their exam center will be available on the admit card. The staggered time slot to be printed as “Slot (time)” such as 11.00 A.M. -11.30 A.M. A prior communication on this process of staggered entry will be shared with the candidates through NEET 2020 admit card and through SMS.
Link to locate the exam center: The candidates can check a hyperlink for the location of the center so that candidates may verify the location of the center in advance by clicking on the link. This will help candidates locate their center on the google map.
COVID-19 precautionary kit: Gloves and masks for candidates will be given to the candidates, in case they do not come with their own. Only then they shall be allowed to enter the exam center. The used gloves and masks will have to be disposed of after the exam is over before leaving the center. The disposal arrangements will be made at the exam center.
Social distancing and crowd management: After reaching the exam center the candidates have to self regulate themselves for social distancing. Apart from that the queue manager / ropes will be placed.
Temperature check: All candidates and staff on duty inside the centre will have to pass through the temperature check using thermo gun. The candidates with < 37.4°C/99.4°F , will move to frisking. If the temperature is > 37.4°C / 99.4°F), they will be taken to isolation room.
Candidates will be allowed to take these items at the centres: Masks on face, gloves on hand, personal transparent water bottle, personal small hand sanitizer (50 ml) and exam related documents that are admit card, Id card, photograph, proforma, PWD certificate etc.
No body frisking will be done: Body pat frisking will not be done. Frisking will be done using metal detector held with long handle.
No thumb impression: Manual attendance with signature will be taken. No thumb impression will be taken.
NTA will also collect self-declaration form from the functionaries at the exam center. A temperature check will be also done for them. The functionaries not abiding by these norms will be asked to leave the center at once. The exam centers floors and walls, doors, gates, will be disinfected with disinfectant backpack spray machines before and after the exam.
NTA will be holding the city coordinator’s briefing on September 9, 2020. After this, the Centre Superintendent will be conducting training for Invigilators and all staff on duty using materials shared by NTA and the instruction received during the briefing meeting. The training will be focused on Social Distancing norms, Guidelines for the conduct of NEET 2020, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
hygiene.
Read the full NEET 2020 advisory by NTA – click here
15,97,433 will be appearing for NEET 2020. As per NTA, it has been able to accommodate overall 99.87% candidates against their first preference of centre city.
