Coronavirus: WFH for Telangana CMO, DGP HQ

Hyderabad: To control the spread of COVID-19, the Telangana government has directed the staff of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and the director-general of police (DGP) headquarters to work on alternate working days.

The staff is expected to work on a rotation basis to ensure that physical contact among individuals is minimised. The order will come into effect from 20 March and will continue till further notice.

All staff who belong to the category of senior assistants and below, including outsourcing staff and home guards working under each section superintendent, will be divided into two groups and assigned work on alternate days.

Meanwhile, each of the staff members who are working from home should be available at their respective residences and respond to calls from the office. The government has also said if necessary the employees should come to the office in person on being informed.

According to the latest media bulletin released by the Telangana government on 18 March, the state has a total of 12 active Coronavirus cases. Out of them, eight are Indonesians while the rest are Indians with a travel history to COVID-19 affected countries.

Late Wednesday, the state health department broke the news that seven Indonesians had tested positive for the virus. According to the state news bulletin, the seven newly confirmed patients were among a group of 13 people who were on a religious tour to India. The group reportedly travelled from Nizamuddin Railway station in Delhi to Ramagundem on the AP Samparkranti train (12708) on 13 March. They further proceeded to Karimnagar by road. This has led to another storm amidst the Coronavirus outbreak in the state because 88 other passengers were travelling in the same coach in which the patient was allocated a seat.