The Government on Tuesday issued fresh guidelines for officials and staffers of Central Government in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The latest circular comes in the wake of several senior central government officers and their staff reporting COVID cases. In the last week alone, the defence secretary and the Director of Press Information Bureau have tested positive while an Additional PS to a Minister of State based in Udyog Bhavan, a Law Minister Joit Secretary are among others.
The government circular stated, “The number of COVID-19 positive cases are going up rapidly. Many officials in various central government ministries/department have been tested COVID-19 positive. Some have lost their lives to this pandemic. Therefore, it is the duty of every officer to protect themselves and each other and help prevent further spread of the diseases.”
The fresh guidelines issued by the govt include:
1. Only asymptomatic staff shall be allowed. Anyone with a mild cold/cough or fever needs to stay at home.
2. Officers/staff residing in the containment zone shall not come to office and work from home till containment zone is de-notified.
3. Not more the 20 staff/officers shall be attending office in a day. Roster will be reworked accordingly. The remaining staff will continue to work from home.
4. Under Secretaries/Deputy Secretaries, if sharing a cabin, then they will come alternate day to enforce social distancing.
5. The Section shall not have more than two officials at a time. Staggering office hours shall be followed to ensure no more than 20 staff in any given time in the office. As far as possible, windows may be kept open for proper ventilation in halls.
6. Face mask and face shield have to be worn at all times inside the office premises. Disciplinary action will be taken on throwing gloves or masks in open or in normal waste bins. General Section will inform housekeeping about norms for disposal of such waste.
7. Used masks and gloves shall be discarded carefully in yellow colour biomedical waste bin only. Strict action will be taken on throwing gloves or masks in open or in normal waste bins.
8. Face-to-face meetings/discussions/interactions should be avoided as far as possible. Officers/staff will use intercom/phone/VC for interactions.
9. VCs may be attended from the respected rooms of the officers. VC in board room may be avoided as far as possible.
10. Frequently touched places such as electric switches, door knobs, elevator buttons, handrails, washroom fixtures etc. shall be cleaned in every one hour with 1% sodium hypochlorite. Officers/staff are also advised to clean their personal equipment like keyboards, mouse, phones, AC remotes etc. by themselves by using ethanol-based disinfectant frequently.
Other guidelines include- Distance of 1 metre shall be maintained while sitting or walking, All officers/staff are requested to follow the instructions without fail.
-India Legal Bureau