Central government employee? Modi government issues important directions for 48.34 lakh workers - Check details here

Are you a Central government employee but not going to the office due to lockdown in place because of COVID-19 pandemic? Here is a piece of important information which all the 48.34 lakh employees of Central government must know. In a major development, the Centre on Wednesday directed its 48.34 lakh employees to download 'Aarogya Setu' mobile app "immediately" and report to the office only when it shows "safe" status for commuting.

With directions for "strict" compliance of the order issued by the Personnel Ministry, the Central government asked all its officers and employees, including outsourced staff, to download the application immediately. The application developed by the government helps people to assess themselves on the risk of them contracting the coronavirus infection.

What does the order state?

- The order stated, "Before starting for office, they must review their status on 'Aarogya Setu' and commute only when the app shows 'safe' or 'low risk' status."

- The officers and staff are advised that in case the app shows a message that he/she has 'moderate' or 'high-risk', calculated on the basis of Bluetooth proximity ("recent contact with infected person"), he/she should not come to office and self-isolate for 14 days or till the status becomes 'safe' or 'low-risk'

- A senior officer -- joint secretary (administration) -- in all departments would ensure strict compliance of the instructions

- Ministries or departments may issue similar instructions to all autonomous, statutory bodies, PSUs etc attached to them

Officers of the level of deputy secretary and above have already joined the offices following the government's instructions. All central government departments have been asked to call only one-third of the staff below deputy secretary level to offices on rotation basis.