Odisha Govt issues guidelines for its offices to curb spread of COVID-19

Bhubaneswar:  As the number of COVID-19 positive cases are rising in the state and many Government employees are being tested positive for the deadly virus, Odisha Government today issued a notification regarding strict implementation of precautionary measures in its various departments and offices to curb spread of the virus.

As per the state Government’s extant guidelines for containment of COVID-19, wearing of masks is mandatory and violation of the order will be constructed as official indiscipline. Every employee will follow two-metre distance from each others in office. The seating arrangements of the officials will be done in adherence to social distancing norms. And, cafeterias and canteens inside and outside the office premises will follow social distancing norms.

Spitting inside office premises is strictly prohibited and violators will be punished as per law. Not more than four persons will be allowed in lift and the persons using the lift should stand facing the walls inside it.

Here’re  the guidelines

• Unnecessary gathering / crowding in common passages /corridors is strictly prohibited.

• The employees need to ensure frequent hand washing (for minimum 20 seconds) during the office hours, especially, after use of washrooms. A sketch for proper hand washing is enclosed herewith.

• Official meetings and gatherings shall be restricted to minimum and organised preferably through video-conferencing. In case of necessity of a physical meeting, seating may be arranged with appropriate physical distance amongst the participants, keeping in view the size of the Hall.

• Proper sanitisation of the Office buildings / common space should be done at regular intervals. Adequate clearing & sanitation materials are to be procured by the respective office establishment. All the rooms of the offices, stairs, washrooms etc. are to be cleaned / sanitized regularly.

• Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) shall be done in office premises and in common areas.

• There shall be provision for disinfection of the interior of the vehicle using L% sodium hypochlorite solution/ spray. A proper disinfection of steering, door handles, keys, etc. should be taken up.

• Entrance to have mandatory provision of hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser).

• Required precautions while handling supplies, inventories and goods in the office shall be ensured.

• Visitors from outside to the office premises may be restricted to bare minimum and they should be disposed of within limited period following sanitation norms.

• Receipt & delivery of Daks to be restricted to the entry point of the Office only.

• Drivers of the vehicles, employees engaged with watch & ward and security personnel may be kept on alert and it is to be ensured that the standard etiquette of using mask, hand washing & social distancing are followed by them without deviation.

• Officials feeling physical discomfort and suffering, should be advised to seek proper medical care and lf having symptoms of fever/respiratory problem should seek leave on due information to respective reporting authorities. In cases of severity, home-quarantine as per the guidelines may be ensured.

• Older employees/employees having underlying medical conditions and pregnant lady employees may not be exposed to direct public contact. Use of stairs should be encouraged and use of lifts should be avoided as far as possible.

• Any officer and staff residing in containment zone should inform the same to supervisory officer and not attend the office till containment zone is denotified, Such staff should be permitted to work from home and it will not be counted as leave period.

• Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to the immediate supervisory officer.

• Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. All the employees should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing or use the inside of their elbow and thereafter throw used tissues into no touch trash cans and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 20 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer containing at least 70% alcohol may be used.

• Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs’  dirty surfaces can be cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfection.

• As much as possible, employees should avoid using other employees’ phones, desks or other work tools and equipment. Clean and disinfect them before and after use.

• Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.

• Any cafeteria etc., outside and within the office premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times.

• For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30ºC, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.