The Delhi Government Welfare ASsociation has met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with a demand that all government offices in Delhi be closed for a week, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.
With more than two lakh employees working for the Delhi government, and a majority of them having to interact with the public every day, the Association feels that all offices should be closed for seven days. The Association has conveyed to the chief minister that in case the Delhi government feels it is not possible to close all offices for a week, it should at least consider letting some offices operate on alternate days only.
A list has been submitted with suggestions of which offices can be totally closed and which ones can be allowed to function every other day. About 86 departments have been suggested for full closure, while 68 have been suggested for operating on alternate days.
Having declared coronavirus an epidemic, the Delhi government has already ordered the shut down of all schools and colleges (except the ones where exams are on), as well as cinema halls till the end of March. It has been made mandatory for all public places, as well as government and private offices and shopping malls to be sanitised daily.
Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, the state government offices have been told to function with minimum staff. Private offices have been asked to operate at half their strength. All hotels and restaurants have been advised to voluntarily shut down for three days.
