Hand Sanitization and Temperature Check Before Exam Entry
Placement of Supervisors Wearing Level-D Protective Gear
As the national exam, postponed due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, is set to be held for the first time tomorrow (16th), concerns are emerging that it could lead to a cluster infection. Photo by MBC Newsdesk
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] As the national exam, postponed due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, is set to be held for the first time tomorrow (16th), concerns are emerging that it could lead to a cluster infection.
In particular, with the number of examinees exceeding 20,000, both the government and test takers are becoming increasingly tense. The government stated that it has established quarantine guidelines with the safety of examinees as the top priority and emphasized that both examinees and supervisors must strictly adhere to these guidelines to prevent the spread of infection caused by the exam.
According to MBC's "News Desk" on the 15th, on the exam day, examinees will maintain a distance of 1.5 meters front and back and 3 meters side to side in accordance with quarantine guidelines. Additionally, the seating capacity will be reduced to 15 examinees by widening the spacing between them.
On the exam day, the main entrance of the test site will be unified, and all entrants will undergo hand sanitization and temperature checks. Those showing suspicious symptoms will take the exam in a separate provisional exam room.
If the temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius three times during the first and second screenings or if coughing symptoms are observed, examinees who voluntarily report visits to Itaewon will also take the exam in the provisional exam room.
Especially, examinees without masks will not be allowed to enter the exam room at all. Furthermore, dedicated supervisors will be assigned to ensure that examinees maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters from each other during waiting times.
To this end, 303 employees from the Ministry of Personnel Management have been dispatched nationwide as quarantine officers at test sites to directly manage infection prevention and quarantine measures on-site.
A Ministry of Personnel Management official stated in an interview, "Only those wearing masks are allowed to enter. We have prepared enough masks just in case someone forgets to bring one."
Those under self-quarantine will take the exam in a separate location with supervisors and nurses wearing Level D protective gear.
However, examinees are worried that asymptomatic patients infected after visiting clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, might take the exam. This concern arises because many of the test takers are in their 20s and 30s.
There are also calls for strict enforcement, as some might try to increase concentration by making holes in their masks or attempt to evade temperature checks.
Kim, an applicant for the Grade 5 civil service exam, said in an interview, "I have studied for this for 3 to 4 years, so who wouldn't avoid going if they had symptoms?" He added, "As soon as the news came out, everyone went to the pharmacy to buy fever reducers. Some even wore masks with cuts in them, so if a group infection occurs, it is worrisome."
Meanwhile, Kim Gang-rip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the same day, "Starting with this Grade 5 open competitive exam, the national exams that have been postponed will proceed." He added, "We hope that both examinees and supervisors will strictly follow the quarantine guidelines and conduct the exams safely, serving as an example of social distancing in daily life."
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