New curbs on employees of govt offices, schools notified in Sindh

The Sindh home department has issued three notifications of restrictions in government offices in view of the rising number of positive Covid-19 cases in the province.

A notification reads, “In the wake of a consistent increase in positivity ratio of Covid-19 cases, the following directions are issued with immediate effect: All the departments and offices of government of Sindh will remain closed except essential services with minimum employees on duty.

The staff will work from home, and no one will leave the headquarters without prior approval of the competent authority; administrative secretaries and head of Attached Departments may call essentially required staff to assist in official assignments, on need basis, which must not exceed 20 per cent of the working strength of the department and office. The office timings will be 9am to 2pm and visitors will not be allowed in Sindh Secretariat.”

Another notification says, “In pursuance of the home department, government of Sindh's order dated July 23, 2021, due to the consistent increase in the positivity ratio of Covid-19, the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19 has advised strict compliance with the Covid-19 SOPs.

“School Education and Literacy Department (Secretariat Side) shall function with 50 per cent staff on a rotation basis. The remaining 50 per cent staff will work from home. No officer or officials shall leave the headquarters without prior approval.

“The officers and officials working in this department should get fully vaccinated and a copy of the vaccination card should be provided to Section (GA), of this department.

“Wearing of the face mask and keeping safe social distance within the office premises. Only the permitted staff of the field offices are allowed to bring official correspondence in this secretariat. Visitors shall not be allowed and the field offices of the School Education and Literacy Department shall also follow the above mentioned instructions in their offices”.

The last notification reads, “In pursuance of the home department's order dated July 23, 2021, and to prevent spread of Covid-19 cases, the following revised directions are issued for compliance, with immediate effect until further orders.

“All the offices of this secretariat will remain closed except following with minimum possible employees on duty, Coordinator to CM, Office of PSCM, Additional Secretary(s) (all), PSO to CM, Deputy Secretary(s) (all), Sr. Private Secretary to CM, Sr. Medical Officer, Programme Section, Public Complaint Cell (919), IT Cell, Comptroller Side, Media Cell, Protocol Cell and offices of section officer(s) (All).

“Remaining staff will work from home. No one shall leave the Headquarters without prior approval. PSCM may call essentially required staff on need basis and visitors shall not be allowed in this Secretariat and House.”