Bhubaneswar: The state government offices except those offering essential services in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack will function with 50% of staff strength during October.
In an order issued on Wednesday, the General Administration and Public Grievance department said all departments of the government and their subordinate offices in the Twin City will function with 50% strength of employees including Group-A officers in October to ensure that the office work does not suffer.
The offices providing essential services like SRC and OSDMA, police, Fire, Health and municipalities will continue to function in full strength. The officials engaged in the Assembly work are also excluded from the order, the department stated. The departments concerned will decide on the employees who will attend the office.
The officials, who have been provided with VPN, can work from home but must be available to attend to office in case of urgency at short notice and take telephone calls.
The order also stated that all government offices throughout the state will remain closed on Saturdays during the month.
The department directed the offices to take necessary measures to prevent spread of COVID-19. If positive case is detected among the employees, the office will follow the protocol issued by the government.