Covid surge: 50% Central staff can work from home

New Delhi, January 3

The Centre has allowed 50 per cent of its employees below the level of Under Secretary to work from home amid rising Covid cases, according to a Personnel Ministry order issued on Monday.

Persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees have been exempted from attending the offices, it said.

Central government officers/staff will have to follow staggered timing – 9 am to 5.30 pm and 10 am to 6.30 pm – to avoid overcrowding in the offices, the order said.

• Fresh cases 33,750
• Total deaths 4,81,893
• Active cases 1,45,582
• 123 deaths in 24 hours

All officers/staff residing in Covid containment zones have also been exempted from coming to office till containment zones are de-notified, it said in the order issued to all central government departments.

“Physical attendance of government servants below the level of Under Secretary shall be restricted to 50 per cent of the actual strength and the remaining 50 per cent shall work from home. A roster may be prepared accordingly by all the departments concerned,” the order said.

All officers of the level of Under Secretary and above are to attend office on a regular basis, it said.

“Meeting, as far as possible, shall be conducted on video-conferencing and personal meetings with visitors, unless absolutely necessary in public interest, are to be avoided,” the order said. All officers/staff have to ensure strict compliance with Covid-appropriate behaviour, it said. — PTI