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As a preventive measure to control the spread of coronavirus, the Assam government on Saturday ordered to ensure that 50 per cent of its employees work from home.

The order was issued on Saturday by M. Angamuthu, commissioner & secretary to the administrative department, Assam.

The order comes following the preventive measures prescribed by the Govt. of India, the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions” on March 17 “due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) as reported in the country”.

Also read: Coronavirus threat: Assam schools, cinema halls, gyms closed till March 29

It mentioned that the state government has issued several advisories and directives to minimize the assembly of people in public places, for the closure of cinema halls, parlours and gyms, restriction on entry of visitors at Janata Bhawan, directorates, offices of DC and SDO(Civil).

In order to “arrest the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) amongst employees/public” and keep the government transactions functional, a number of safety measures have been taken by the government.

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According to the order, the “senior-most secretary/head of the administrative department will ensure that 50% employee in the cadre of superintendent and below working in the Janata Bhawan are required to attend office everyday and the remaining 50% staff should be instructed to work from home.”

“For that effect, a weekly roster of duty for the above officials shall be drafted by the respective senior-most secretary/head of the administrative department and ask them to attend offices on alternate weeks,” the order said.

While deciding the roster for the first week, care should be taken to include officials who are residing in close proximity to their office or use their own transport to travel to the offices, it said.

“The officials/employees, who are working from home on that particular day as per the roster drawn up, should be available on telephone, mobile phone and electronic means of communication at all times,” the order said.

The period of working from home shall not be treated by the official or employee as leave.

“They should attend office if called for any exigency or work,” the order further said.

However, these instructions “shall not apply” to the offices and employees engaged in essential and emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of COVID-19.

These orders shall come into force with immediate effect and will remain in force till March 31, 2020, the order added.

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