Chennai: With the government deciding to conduct exams amid the Covid-19 scenario, it has released a detailed set of rules and regulations.
“Examination centres are frequented by large number of students (as well as their parents) and staff till the entire duration of the exam and therefore, it’s vital to plan and conduct these examinations, while following specific preventive measures,” it said.
Some of the measures announced by the government include physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible, use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory, practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40 -60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty.
Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible. Respiratory etiquette to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest, spitting shall be strictly prohibited and installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all, as far as feasible, are the other guidelines.
According to the SOPs, only those examination centers which are outside the containment zone shall be allowed to function. Staff/examinees from containment zones shall not be permitted. Such examinees shall be given an opportunity to undertake the examination through other means or the Universities/Educational Institution shall arrange for taking exam at a later date for such students.
Universities/ Educational Institutions/ Examination Conducting Authorities/ Examination centers may plan out the examination schedule in a staggered manner so as to avoid overcrowding at any examination center on any day.
Keeping in view the physical distancing norms, institutions should have adequate room capacity to ensure proper seating arrangement for examination.
Appropriate arrangements for personal protection gears like face covers/masks, and other logistic like hand sanitizers, soap, sodium hypochlorite solution etc. shall be made available by Universities/ Educational Institutions/Examination Conducting Authorities/Examination centers to the staff as well as students as per requirements.
“Exam functionary and examinees may also submit self-declaration about health status at the time of entrance to the examination center. Such self-declaration form may be circulated at the time of issue of admit tickets. A simple do’s and dont’s/ Advisory ma y also be circulated at the time of issue of admit tickets,” it said.
“Students should also be given prior information on what they should carry,which includes exam related documents (Admit card, ID card etc), face mask, water bottle, hand sanitizer etc,” the government said and added: “Adequate manpower shall be deployed by the Institution for maintaining discipline (to ensure observance to distancing norms and other preventive measures at all times) during conduct of the examination.”
The government also said the examination centre should have a designated isolation room for isolating any person who is found symptomatic at the time of screening or during examination, till such time medical advice may be sought.
A clear policy on allowing symptomatic candidates to undertake examinations shall be delineated by the Examination Conducting Authorities in advance.
Frisking of examinees, if needed, shall be undertaken after thermal screening. Personnel involved in frisking shall wear triple layer medical mask in addition to gloves. Proper hand hygiene shall be maintained by such personnel every time they change their gloves, it said.