15 staff of Odisha Steel & Mines Dept test COVID positive

Bhubaneswar: At a time when the Odisha Government is leaving no stone unturned to contain the possible spread of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the state, as many as 15 employees of the Steel & Mines Department have tested positive for the virus.

In view of the incident, it has been decided to close the department for the next 48 hours (December 16 and 17) for sanitisation work. The office will resume functioning from December 18.

“It has come to the notice that 15 No. of employees of Steel & Mines Department have been infected by Covid-19 Positive recently. Taking into consideration the advisory issued by GA & PG Department vide No. 17290 dated 23.07.2020, the Department shall remain closed for next 48 hours i.e. on 16.12.2021 to 17.12.2021 for undertaking disinfection work and breaking the chain of infection. The office shall resume on 18.12.2021 as usual,” an official order of the department said.

“The employees who are not attending office will work from home with VPN and attend office at short notice and also be available over telephone at all times,” the order said.