Don’t lunch in canteens, Chandigarh Administrator tells staff

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 6

As part of steps to check the spread of Covid-19, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore today ordered that the practice of employees having lunch together in canteens or in office rooms should be discontinued in view of the social distancing norms.

The order was issued after a sudden outbreak of Covid cases in the UT Education Department.

At a review meeting, Badnore also ordered that teaching and non-teaching staff should not be asked to come to colleges and offices unless there was emergent work. He also ordered that employees should wear a mask and maintain social distance during the tea break to check the spread of the virus. With the rise in Covid-19 cases due to people visiting the city, the Administrator stressed on more vigorous contact tracing and screening of outsiders. The Administrator said in government and private offices, only minimum staff should be called and others should be encouraged to work from home.

During the meeting, Dr Jagat Ram, Director, PGI, expressed concern over medical cases, which can be treated at the district level, being sent to the PGI, thereby crowding the infrastructure.

On this, the Administrator directed that the matter be taken up with the neighbouring states so that such patients could get proper treatment at local hospitals.