Covid-19 pandemic: DoPT issues directives for government employees, orders 50% of its staff to work from home

All state governments and the Central government of India are taking preventive measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday issued another set of directives for government employees on preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, effective till April 4. This is the second notification issued by the department in continuation of the office memorandum dated March 17.

“Heads of Department [HoDs] may ensure that 50% 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. 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,” said the order. 

Further, the working hours for all employees who attend office on a particular day should be staggered, the order said.

“It is suggested that three groups of employees may be formed and asked to attend office as per the following timings:- (a) 9 a.m. 5.30 p.m., (b) 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., (c) 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The officials who are working from home on a particular day as per the roster drawn up should be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. They should attend office, if called for any exigency of work,” said the memorandum.

“These instructions shall not apply to the offices and employees engaged in essential/emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of Covid-19,” said the order.

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