Covid-19 surge: Union ministries restrict attendance, stagger timings at work

With a surge in Covid 19 instances throughout the nation and the nationwide capital being severely affected, varied union ministries have begun proscribing attendance of their respective departments.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday issued orders proscribing attendance to simply 50 per cent within the Ministry and likewise to stagger workplace timings for these bodily attending the workplace. The Ministry has additionally mentioned that so far as doable, conferences could be held just about.
These exemptions are, nonetheless, obtainable to solely officers beneath the extent of deputy secretary.

“In view of the unprecedented rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi, it has been decided to take measures to prevent its spread,” the MHA mentioned in an workplace memorandum Thursday.
On April 12, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying introduced some “preventive measures to contain the rising spread of Covid-19” and requested all divisional heads to evaluate and limit the attendance of workers working underneath their management as per “their judgement”.
“While no cap is being put to call officials to office at a time, the important consideration is safety, social distancing and completion of all the work in office,” the Department mentioned.

“The officers may be called in office with staggered timings to avoid overcrowding as per functional requirement,” it mentioned.
Sources mentioned a number of different ministries have put related restrictions on attendance of workers and staggered timings.
The MHA, in its order, mentioned officers of the extent of underneath secretary or equal and beneath could be allowed to make money working from home additionally and their bodily attendance in workplace will likely be restricted to 50 per cent of the particular total energy.
“Rosters for their attendance to be prepared by concerned Divisional/ Wing Heads. Individual Wing Heads can, however, call for more than 50% physical attendance of any of the categories of officials in their wings, if required on administrative grounds,” the order mentioned.
Ordering staggering of workplace timings, the memorandum mentioned, “All officers who attend office can stagger timings with entry into the office spread between 9 00 am to 10.00 am with corresponding office exit timings. This will also avoid rush in commuting, as also in lifts and corridors.”
The order mentioned that these not attending workplace bodily will, nonetheless, should make themselves obtainable on telephone.
“All officials residing in containment zones shall continue to be exempted from coming to office till the containment zone is denotified,” the order mentioned.
It additionally mentioned that these bodily attending workplace should be masked up on a regular basis and observe all Covid protocols strictly.
“Crowding in lifts, staircases, corridors, common areas including refreshment kiosk and parking areas is to be strictly avoided… Entry of outsiders/ visitors to be curtailed appropriately,” the order mentioned.
It additionally instructed all workers of the age of 45 years and above to get themselves vaccinated.