ISLAMABAD: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has taken certain precautionary and preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) with immediate effect till further orders.
IRSA officials said by taking certain measures under such critical situation, the authority has tried to save its employees from the adverse effects of the deadly virus.
Sources said that IRSA, through a recent office order, had informed the interior ministry regarding its measures against the spread of coronavirus. Following the IRSA measures, the interior ministry had issued an office memorandum in his regard, they added.
According to officials, the IRSA secretary had issued the said office order after obtaining the approval from the IRSA chairman.
As per the order, “All section heads have been directed to identify the essential staff for important tasks and ensure presence in office and employees from each section may be decreased on rotation basis. Similarly, the employees over 50 years of age are allowed to work from home but they should remain available on modern tools e-g. landline, cell phone, WhatsApp, Skype etc., while employees with illness (flu, fever and throat infection) or experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms are ordered to inform the office telephonically.
“Furthermore, employees not belonging to Rawalpindi/Islamabad are instructed that they can stay at their native towns except those who have been identified as essential staff by the section heads.”
Earlier, the Ministry of Interior, in a circular dated 19th March, 2020, had decided to reduce the staff strength by 50pc on a fortnightly basis with effect from 20th March.
