Panaji, Aug 31 (IANS): The state district administration has been directed to maintain law and order during the upcoming JEE and NEET examinations, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.

Sawant also urged the 5,000-odd students who are expected to appear for both the entrance exams in Goa to maintain social distancing and wear masks when they appear for the exams.

"Instructions have been given to North Goa and South Goa District Collectors to maintain law and order. We have ensured that the centres get uninterrupted power supply and Covid-19 norms like social distancing, sanitisation and use of masks are maintained," Sawant told the media.

"The exam centres will be sanitised. I assure people on behalf of the Goa government that students will get all support and ensure that exams will be held in an unhindered way," the Chief Minister said welcoming the decision of Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal to go ahead with the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Exam (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Exams (JEE).

The JEE is to be held from September 1 to 6 while the NEET exam is to be held on September 13.

At present, Goa has recorded 16,553 confirmed Covid-19 cases while the number of active coronavirus cases in the state is 3,646. 178 persons in Goa have died after testing Covid-19 positive ever since the pandemic broke out earlier this year.

Sawant also urged the students to maintain norms as per the state's Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

"We have asked the Education Department to sanitise classrooms. Sanitisers will also be provided. Each student should come with a mask and a water bottle," Sawant said, adding that not holding these exams would impact the future of students.