Coronavirus Threat – Half of Central Govt Workforce Freeze at Home

What is the meaning of Freezing of Dearness Allowance?

What is Freezing of DA and DR?

The meaning of Freezing of DA is the additional percentage of Dearness allowance will be suspended for some time. Every Central Govt employee is getting an additional DA once in six months. This increment will be stopped for a particular period is called ‘Freezing of DA’.

Yesterday the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has published an important order for preventing to spread Coronavirus among Central Government employees.

• 50% of Group B and C Central Government employees are required to attend office every day, and the remaining 50% staff should be instructed to work from home.
• Weekly roster of duty should be drafted for Group B and C staff and they are to attend office on alternate weeks.
• Working hours for all employees who attend office on a particular day should be staggered.
• Industrial establishments to consider staggered timings.

Following action is being taken by Railways

• No concession on reserved and unreserved Railway tickets for senior citizens w.e.f. 00:00 Hrs 20th March 2020
• For railway tickets already purchased before 00:00 Hrs 20th March 2020, in case of travel, no difference in fare shall be collected.

Actions for prevention and management of COVID-19

• States shall issue directions to private sector to consider work from home wherever feasible.
• States shall issue directions to private sector to consider work from home wherever feasible.
• All educational institutions, theatres, museums, gyms, exam centers, etc., shall be closed temporarily.
• States shall take necessary actions to ensure that all sporting events, competitions and religious gatherings shall be postponed and it shall be ensured that required social distanced is maintained even in smaller gatherings.

Advisory for Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)

• No scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020 for one week.
• State Governments shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representatives/govt. servants/medical professionals are advised to remain at home.
• Similarly, all children below 10 should be advised to stay at home and not to venture out.
• Railways and civil aviation shall suspend all concessional travel except for students, patients and divyang category.
• States are being requested to enforce work for home for pvt. Sector employees except those working in emergency/essential services.
• To reduce crowding all Group B and C Central govt. employees will be asked to attend offices on alternate week and staggered timings for all employees.

Important measures to contain the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19)

• Frequent hand washing with soap, water and alcohol-based hand rub, should be encouraged.
• Covering of nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing, throwing of used tissues in close bins immediately after use.
• Keeping a safe distance from persons during interaction, especially with those having flulike symptoms
• Sneezing in the inner side of the one’s elbow and not coughing into the palms of one’s hand
• Regular check of temperature and respiratory systems
• Consultation with the doctor in the event of one’s feeling unwell
• Wearing of mask and covering of mouth and nose while visiting a doctor and avoidance of social gatherings