COVID-19 impact: 50% central govt employees to work from home

The central government on Thursday (March 19) ordered its departments and state-run firms to ensure 50 per cent of its employees work from home besides implementing different time slots for working hours, in its effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In an office memorandum, the personnel ministry said the heads of departments (HODs) may ensure that 50 per cent of Group B and C employees are required to attend office every day and the remaining 50 per cent staff should be instructed to work from home.

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“All HoDs are advised to draft a weekly roster of duty for Group B and C staff and ask them to attend office on alternate weeks. While deciding the roster for the first week, HoDs are advised to include officials who are residing in close proximity to their office or use their own transport to travel to the offices,” it said.

The order further said the working hours for all employees who attend office on a particular day should be staggered. It is suggested three groups of employees may be formed and they are asked to attend office at three time slots ­­­ — 9 am to 5.30 pm, 9.30 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 6.30 pm, the ministry said.

These orders shall be applicable with immediate effect and will remain in force till 4th March, 2020, said the memorandum.

India has reported 166 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, including 25 foreign nationals, according to the ministry of health and family welfare. Three deaths have reported so far due to the infection in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

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