New Delhi (NVI): The government today advised all the employees working in several Ministries and Departments to take precautionary measures to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions today issued an advisory citing that all employees who are at higher risk i.e., older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions should take extra precautions.
It added that such employees should not be exposed to any direct contact with the public.
All the government offices have been advised to install thermal scanners at the entry of the building as feasible and asked to mandatorily place hand sanitizers at entry points.
The employees have been advised to avoid non-essential official travel. “Undertake essential correspondence on official email and avoid sending files and documents to other offices, to the extent possible,” the Ministry said in the statement.
“Meetings, as far as feasible, should be done through video conferencing and avoid meetings involving large number of people,” it added.
They also advised to take proper treatment/quarantine etc.if they found any flu-like symptoms, the Ministry said adding, “Look out for respiratory symptoms/fever and, if feeling unwell, should leave the workplace immediately after informing the reporting officers.”
“Ensure proper cleaning and frequent sanitization of the workplace, particularly of the frequently touched surfaces. Discourage, to the maximum extent, entry of visitors in the office complex,” it said.
“Routine issue of visitors/temporary passes should be suspended with immediate effect. Only those visitors whom have proper permission of the officer who they want to meet, should be allowed after being properly screened,” it added.
