ILNS: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, has issued guidelines to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The guidelines, which became effective from May 1, include:-
a) Physical attendance of the officers of the level of Under Secretary or equivalent and below be restricted to 50 percent of the actual strength. Secretary/HoD may regulate the attendance of officials and may on administrative ground, direct more officials to attend office. A roaster may be prepared, accordingly.
b) All officers of the level of Deputy Secretary/ equivalent and above are to attend office on regular basis.
c) The officers/staff shall follow staggered timings, to avoid over-crowding in offices, as indicated below:
• 9.00 A.M to 5.30 P.M.
• 9.30 A.M to 6.00 PM
• 10.00 A.M. to 6.30 P.M
d) All officials who do not attend on a particular day are to make themselves available on Telephone and other electronic means of communication at all times from their residence and work from home.
e) All officials residing in containment zones shall continue to be exempted from coming to office till the containment zone is de-notified.
f) Persons with Disabilities and Pregnant women employees may be exempted from attending office, but they shall continue to work from home, until further orders.
g) All officials who attend office shall strictly follow Covid- appropriate behavior including wearing of mask, physical distancing, use of sanitizer and frequent hand washing with soap and water.
h) Crowding in lifts, staircases, corridors, common areas, including refreshment kiosk and parking area is to be strictly avoided.
i) Meeting, as far as possible, to be conducted through video-conferencing.
j) Entry of outhsiders/ visitorsto be curtailed through video-conferencing.
k) In compliance of office memorandum of even number, dated 22.04.2021, all employees of the age of 18 years and above, are advised to get themselves vaccinated.
l) Proper cleaning and frequent sanitisation of workplace, particularly of the frequently touched surfaces may be ensured.
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The office memorandum highlights that All Ministries/Departments/offices as well as the Central Government employees may ensure strict compliance of the instructions on Covid-appropriate behaviour issued by MHA, MoH&FW and DoP&T, from time to time. Biometric attendance shall continue to be suspended and physical attendance registers to be maintained until further orders.