Omicron Surge: Divyang And Pregnant Women Employees Asked To Avoid Attending Offices

With Omicron cases surging, the Centre has asked pregnant women and divyang employees to avoid attending office.

Pregnant women employees and divyang employees have been exempted from attending office, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh said in line with the guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

However, they will be required to remain available for work from home.

All officials and staff living in the containment zone shall also be exempted from attending office till the time containment zone is denotified, he added.

The minister further informed that the physical attendance of government servants below the level of Under Secretary has been restricted to 50 per cent of the actual strength and the remaining 50 per cent shall work from home. Roster will be prepared accordingly by all the departments concerned, he added.

However, the minister said, the officials/staff who are not attending the office and are working from home shall remain available on telephone and other electronic means of communications at all times.

In view of the rapid spread of the virus infection, Singh said that the official meetings shall be conducted as far as possible through video conferencing.

Similarly, personal meetings with visitors are to be avoided, unless absolutely necessary, he said.

In order to avoid overcrowding in the office premises, the Minister said, the officials/staff shall follow staggered timings — 9 am to 5.30 pm and 10 am to 6.30 pm.

Meanwhile, DoPT has advised all the officers/staff to ensure strict compliance of Covid-appropriate behavior — frequent washing of hands/sanitisation, wearing face mask/face cover and observing social distancing all the time.

Proper cleaning and sanitisation of the workplace, particularly frequently-touched surfaces, may also be ensured.

Singh said that the guidelines will remain in force until 31 January 2022. In the meantime, regular reviews will be carried out from time to time and the guidelines may be revised accordingly, depending on the situation.