Govt Issues COVID-19 Guidelines For Post Offices & Employees: Details Inside

In response to the rise in COVID-19 situations in the country the government has issued strong guidelines for post offices. To keep the cases under hand, several states have imposed partial or complete lockdowns. As a result, the government has granted Heads of Postal Circles the authority to plan phased office entry and leave timings in their regions to prevent overcrowding, based on the situations of the locality. Here are the guidelines that has been issued by the centre in view of COVID-19 cases.

• At all times, all offices must maintain strict adherence to COVID-19 rules, such as regular handwashing, use of sanitizers, mask wear, social distancing, and so on.
• Heads of departments must ensure that public halls, counters, corridors, canteens, and parking are not overcrowded.
• To effectively avoid the spread of COVID-19, all employees above the age of 45 are advised to get vaccinated.
• To prevent overcrowding, HoCs or Heads of Postal Circles may plan to implement staggered office entry and exit timings in their Circles, depending on local situations.
• Employees in administrative departments can operate from home in some cases. Officials serving from home should be reachable by phone, email, and making themselves available in the office if necessary, even at short notice, in respect to the nature of their job role.
• Meetings should be arranged via videoconferencing as far as possible.
• Workplaces must be cleaned properly and sanitised on a regular basis.
• All employees as well as workers must be instructed to follow all COVID-19 guidelines made by the government.
• Until further notice, biometric attendance will be suspended and physical attendance records shall be maintained.

According to the report, the government said that "Considering the fact that Postal services are essential Services and are required to continue un-hindered during any partial lockdown or restrictions imposed by the respective State/UT Governments, the Postal Circles are hereby directed to kindly adhere to the broad guidelines,"