Omicron: Centre Restricts Attendance Of Employees At Govt Offices To 50%; Check Details

New Delhi: The Centre on Monday imposed curbs on physical attendance of employees at government offices till January 31 in view of a spike in COVID-19 and Omicron cases in the country.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions issued a notification in this regard, listing the following curbs:

* Physical attendance of government employees below the level of under secretary should be restricted to 50 per cent; rest 50 per cent should work from home.

* All officers, under secretaries and above, will attend office physically on a regular basis.

* Employees with disabilities or pregnant women are exempted from attending office but will have to work from home.

* Timings have been staggered to avoid over-crowding:

9 am to 5.30 pm

10 am to 6.30 pm

* All officers/staff residing in containment zones are exempted from attending office.

* Officers/staff working from home should be available on telephone/other electronic means of communication at all times.

* Meetings, as far as possible, will be conducted on video-conferencing. Personal meetings, unless absolutely necessary in public interest, to be avoided.

* All officers/staff have to comply with COVID-appropriate behaviour: frequent hand washing, sanitising hands, wearing mask and keeping social distance.

* Proper cleaning and sanitisation of workplace to be ensured. Head of departments must ensure there is no overcrowding in corridors, canteens.