New SOPs refrain staff, candidates from CZs

Amidst massive outrage over grave violations of guidelines for the various exams being conducted, the Union health ministry has issued revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed to contain the spread of Covid-19 while conducting examinations.

One of the major points listed in SOPs is that no staff or examinees from containment zones shall be permitted in the exam centres. Such examinees shall be given an opportunity to write the examination through other means or the universities, educational institutions or testing agency may consider

appropriate measures in this regard, the guidelines stated.

The ministry further suggested that exam functionaries and examinees be asked to submit a selfdeclaration about their health status at the time of entrance to the examination centre. Such forms may be circulated at the time of issuing of admit tickets, it said.

Besides this, all staff and students will be allowed entry only if they are found using face cover and masks. The face cover and mask have to be worn at all times inside the examination centre by everyone present inside.

To avoid overcrowding, enough entry and exits gates for students and staff will have to be ensured, the guidelines said.

Universities, educational institutions and examination conducting authorities have further been directed to plan out the examination schedule in a staggered manner to avoid overcrowding.

In case of need for frisking the examinees, the guidelines say that it shall be undertaken after the thermal screening. Personnel involved in frisking shall wear a triple-layer medical mask in addition to gloves, it added.