Govt offices in Meghalaya reopen, attendance limited

SHILLONG: All government offices in Meghalaya resumed functioning from Monday with 100% attendance for Group A and B officers even as lockdown continues with night curfew in the state capital and its adjoining areas.
However, any employee, who or whose family members have severe acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness symptoms or have recent travel history, has been advised not to attend office but to work from home.
"Employees having symptoms of cough, fever and sore throat, or who have had any contact with primary contacts recently, should go for testing immediately," chief secretary MS Rao said.
He added, "Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities and pregnant women should stay at home."
Additional chief secretary for personnel AR (A) department Rebecca Vanessa Suchiang said all government offices in the state shall function at 100% strength for Group A and B officers and 33% strength for group C and D staff with effect from Monday.
In her order, Suchiang also directed the head of departments concerned to notify the roster of duty for Group C and D staff.
Moreover, the State government has also issued a slew of health and safety protocols for its employees to combat the Covid-19 epidemic.
As per the protocol, employees should sanitize their hands before entering the office premises, wear masks at all times and maintain respiratory etiquette besides maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5 meters from each other.
Government employees have been directed to avoid touching their face, eyes, nose and mouth and also the railings while climbing up and down staircases in government offices. Advising that large physical meetings should be avoided, the government said windows and doors should be kept open whenever possible to make sure that the room or venue is well ventilated. Lunch time has also been staggered in government offices.
Earlier, the state government had announced a deferment of 50% in the gross salary of the CM, deputy CM and ministers, besides All India Services Officers and central services officers on deputation to Meghalaya, due to fall in revenue due to the ongoing lockdown.
A deferment of 35% in the gross salary of Group A and B officers and 25% in respect of Group C staff of all departments, except for all officers and staff of the health, home (police) and home (civil defence and home guards) departments, has also been ordered.