NEW DELHI: As offices of all Central

government

departments, PSUs and CPSEs open with more staff from Monday, most of these entities have put proper system in place, including specific roster duty of people, thermal screening and also registering the details of all visitors.

In what could become a template for all departments, the

Sabha secretariat has issued a detailed

for its working. According to the circular, the seating of persons attending office should be so arranged that at least six feet distance is maintained between two persons.

The

shall compulsorily wear face masks and there will be staggered lunch breaks to avoid gathering during lunch, the RS secretariat circular said.

It said normal office timings may not be insisted upon for the officers and staff who would be attending the office and staggered hours of work may be adopted. People should bring their food and water, the circular says.

It also said file movements should be through electronic mode in e-office and physical files shall be avoided as a precautionary measure.

However, some of officers across departments told TOI that there are some major causes of concerns including how to deal with handling of "dak" (letters and other physical communications) and physical files and the common toilets majority of them use in every floor.

Though most of the senior officers have been coming to office during the lockdown, they have been largely avoiding taking files and any holding any face-to-face interaction.

Some of the senior officers said the issues will settle down in the next few days. “For example, in my wing, I have prepared a list of persons who will attend office. I have suggested that we avoid holding any official meeting in a room rather we must have video conference even with people who are sitting in adjoining rooms,” said one of them.

He added the sense of fear is high among all employees as the “threat is invisible”.

Meanwhile,

in a circular issued on Sunday said movement of all

government employees will be permitted after checking their identity cards. This blanket decision has been taken since it's not possible to "gauge" who are within 30% share of staff below director and deputy secretary level. Hired vehicles carrying them will also be allowed once the Central government employee shows his/ her identity card.

On why the government employees should not cite any excuse to avoid attending office, an officer said, “The government has protected every employee from all risks and they have secured job. Therefore, they must be the first ones to attend office. We will lose the authority to ask private sector employees to work, if we are not doing so.”