Modi Govt To Implement Work From Home For 50% Staff Due To Coronavirus, Tweak Office Timings To Avoid Crowding

In an unprecedented move, the Centre has decided to implement work from home for the government employees due to coronavirus pandemic. News Nation has learnt that the decision was taken by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions after meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, which was attended by the Cabinet Secretary. According to the new rules, 50 per cent of Group B and C employees will be asked to work from home. Additionally, the office timings will be changed into three categories to stagger presence of employees and avoid crowding. On the state level, Maharashtra had also announced a similar measure. Only 50 per cent of the staff or those in essential services have been ordered to work in offices. In the last two days, India has seen a sharp rise in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases. As of now, 169 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported from across the nation. Maharashtra tops the tally with 49 cases.  (Coronavirus Live Updates)

50 percent of Group B and C employees are required to attend office every day, and the remaining 50 percent of staff should be instructed to work from home: Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions #Coronavirus

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It is being suggested that three groups of employees may be formed and they are asked to attend office at three time slots -- 9 AM to 5.30 PM, 9.30 AM to 6 PM and 10 AM to 6.30 PM, the ministry said. The announcement comes ahead of a much-anticipated address to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 8 pm later in the day. The Prime Minsiter's Office had tweeted about the crucial broadcast on Wednesday evening. Many say that the prime minister is likely to announce some key measures to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. The national broadcast is also seen as an opportunity for the PM to directly address the concern of the people and give them much-needed assurance in such troubled times. India has already quarantined itself from the world. Stringent measures in place where no movement by air, sea or land is allowed. All borders have been sealed and those coming from outbreak zones are being stamped and quarantined. So far, India has not reached stage 3 of the pandemic which happens when the disease is transmitted on a community level. However, ICMR feels that though the random samples have so far tested negative but given the size of the population that should be expanded. Only;y when more numbers of random samples are taken and tested, only then the clear picture will emerge.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 169 on Thursday after 18 fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country, according to the Union health ministry. The cases include 25 foreign nationals -- 17 from Italy, 3 from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. The figure also includes three deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra so far. According to the World Health Organisation, the novel coronavirus has killed over 8,000 people globally and infected more than two lakh.

(With agency inputs)