Indian government advises staff to WFH

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, various ministries in the Indian government have advised their staff to work from home, while officers above the “Under Secretary” rank have been asked to report to the office on a staggered basis.

Among those, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution have asked their employees to report to office on staggered timings, while those who live in COVID-19 containment zones can avoid coming to the office, according to the Times of India. 

In a written communication, MHA stated that all staff who report to work can stagger their timings, spread between 9 to 10am, with corresponding exit timings. This, it said, will also avoid the rush in commuting, and crowds in lifts and corridors. 

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In February, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had already asked its staff to work from home. In a circular dated February 13, DoPT said that no biometric attendance should be taken, and that meetings should be carried out virtually as far as possible. 

Meanwhile, officers residing in the containment zones should work from home, but must be available on phone and through all means of communications.