Earlier, the Karnataka government had issued a directive allowing information technology (IT) and bio-technology (BT) organisations to resume their operations with 50 per cent of their workforce working from office. However, this order was soon revoked post official discussions on the matter. It has now been decided that only those involved in essential or critical services will be allowed to function from offices, while the rest of the workforce will continue with the work-from-home arrangement. This applies to IT/BT companies as well.
Messages on social media indicate that employees at Wipro have been told that post partial relaxation of lockdown on April 20, only those who think it is absolutely essential to go to office should attempt to do so, the rest should continue to work from home. A majority of Wipro’s staff has received approval from the clients to work and deliver from home.
Many IT firms in Bengaluru, including Infosys, Mindtree and Dell Technologies had resorted to letting their staff work from home well before the first lockdown, and are expected to stick to the same for a while. With no public transport available it will not be feasible to ask the employees to get to office, since commuting will be a huge challenge.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government is not in favour of easing restrictions in the national capital post April 20, either. With more than 1700 cases, it falls in the ‘high-risk zone’.
On April 17, following information from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) about large oubreaks in many parts of Delhi, a proposal was reportedly sent to the lieutenant-governor (LG) for approval, stating that the government prefers the curbs to remain post April 20.
