PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to restrict the entry to its offices across the province to stem the spread of novel coronavirus amid the second wave of Covid-19.

In a notification, the administration department on Monday issued a new set of instructions in light of the growing coronavirus cases.

It said entry of visitors to the public offices, like civil secretariat, chief minister’s secretariat and other government offices at provincial, divisional and district levels would be restricted, while all visitors would be provided with an opportunity to discuss matters with the relevant officials over the phone and they would be allowed to enter the premises only if it was essential.

“All such visitors shall preferably be dealt at reception,” it said.

The department said the use face mask was mandatory for everyone intending to enter government offices.

According to it, the minimum possible staff members will be present in office to perform important tasks.

Notification says non-essential staff members will work from home

“Non-essential staff, including female officers, officials with infants and toddlers up to the age of 2.5 years or in family way, those facing health issues like flu, fever and cough, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, kidney and liver diseases diabetes, sneezing and muscular pain will work from home,” it said.

The department said all departments and bodies would chalk out a strategy to continue official work with minimum staff possible.

“Heads of departments have been authorised to determine the essential and minimum staff to attend office to

ensure functioning while movement of documents on file tracking be ensured. The intra- and inter-office meetings or discussions shall be avoided and preferably be held by video-conferencing, speaker phone or other electronic means. Ceremonies and other gatherings shall be avoided,” it said.

The department said in case of congregations in mosques located inside government buildings, the SOPs regarding social distancing and face masks would be enforced strictly.

It added that the traditional ways of greetings such as hugging and shaking of hands should be avoided by staff members in offices and interaction with visitors.

“Touching of door knobs, railings and elevator/lift buttons etc shall be avoided wherever possible. Disinfectant should be sprayed and hand sanitisers should be placed in offices,” it said.

The department said the commonly-used facilities like towels and other accessories in pubic lavatories should be avoided by both staff members of and visitors to government offices.

It said precautions should also be taken while using office equipment like computer keyboards, mouse, fax machines, scanners, telephones etc and gloves should be used by personnel using them.

The department said SOPs, instructions and other recommended healthcare-related precautions issued by the relevant authorities on the prevention of Covid-19 from time to time would be strictly enforced in letter and spirit.

It added that commissioners and deputy commissioners in the fields would implement the instructions in letter and spirit, while the management of the KP Houses would ensure compliance with the instructions.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the provincial assembly banned the entry of all kinds of visitors and guests to the assembly premises, Speaker’s House and MPA Hostel with an immediate effect to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2020