Amiran Gamkrelidze, Director General of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, explained several points of the protocol regarding the 2020 Unified National Examinations at a press conference.

Amiran Gamkrelidze noted that the approach of how we conduct the Unified National Examinations is changing, to ensure the large number of people gathered at this time, does not create an increased risk of spreading the virus in the country. According to Director General, every measure will be taken so an infected entrant does not enter the hall of the examination.

Moreover, Mr. Gamkrelidze clarified, if the main symptoms of COVID-19 appear before the entrant enters the exam such as : fever, cough, shortness of breath, sneezing, the individual should consult with a family doctor, followed by laboratory tests. In case the entrant is COVID-19 positive, they will not be allowed to take the exam.

Furthermore, if the entrant has undergone the medical diagnostic procedures in advance and the result is negative, they will automatically be allowed to take the test despite the symptoms. According to the protocol, such an individual will write the test in an isolated room. Notably, the specially designed protocol describes different options for how the National Center for Assessment and Examinations should act in case of certain symptoms appear.

Please note, if the entrant with minor symptoms is allowed to take the first test because the result of COVID-19 test was negative, the subject must be re-diagnosed for the second test.

Amiran Gamkrelidze emphasized that the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health will provide diagnostic research to the entrants without any fees, completely free of charge. According to current data, the state has 17 laboratories where PCR testing is possible. Their number will reach 20-22 for the start of the national exams. Applicants can apply to the following laboratories in Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Ozurgeti.

Parents and entrants were also notified, that due to the stress caused by the exam, fever may be caused by it. When thermal screening is performed with the remote, electronic thermometer, the temperature indicator may not be precisely accurate. The Assessment and Testing Center has been advised that if an entrant has a fever during the screening test, he or she will be given time to check the temperature with a conventional, classic mercury thermometer.

According to Amiran Gamkrelidze, the entrant who has other symptoms besides the temperature will not be allowed to take the exam.