Bhubaneswar: There will be no shutdown or lockdown in cities in Odisha where the JEE (Main) 2020 and NEET (UG) exam will be held, as per an order issued by Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
The move is aimed at ensuring that candidates, their guardians and those associated do not face any problems in reaching the exam centres.
“There will be no lockdown or shutdown in force in the cities where examinations will be held from August 30 to Septemer 7 and from September 12 to 14,” the official notification read.
It is pertinent to mention here that the JEE (Main) 2020 exam will be held from September 1 to September 6, while NEET (UG) will be conducted on September 13 across the country and the State.
Earlier, a lot of students, their escorts, examination personnel and other service providers had requested Odisha government to initiate special measures to facilitate free movement of Neet and JEE aspirants.
"Notwithstanding any restriction imposed by the State Authority or Any District Authority or any Municipal Authority relating to management of COVID-19, all candidates along with their guardian, if any, as well as the examination personnel (City coordinator(s), observers, centre superintendents, deputy superintendents, invigilators, support staff, staff or representatives of the service providers for CCTV, jammers, frisking, Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are allowed to travel from their place of stay to the examination cities and examination centres either in their personal vehicles or hired or public service vehicle," the notification added.
As per senior officials, copy of the admit card of the candidates including soft copies thereof or any other document held by the candidates and any document held by the examination personnel and staff/ representatives of service providers in support of their deployment shall be considered as their valid movement pass throughout the State.
The organisers will ensure that all safety protocols relating to COVID-19 such as physical distancing, mask wearing, no spitting in public place, personal hygiene and sanitation, etc. are duly maintained inside the centre.
Earlier on Friday, Odisha government had announced that it will provide free transportation and accommodation facilities for the candidates from the State who will appear in the upcoming JEE (Mains) Examination from September 1 to September 6.
Also Read: JEE-NEET 2020: Odisha To Provide Free Transportation, Accommodation To Candidates