Covid -ve report must for Lahaul staff to rejoin duty

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 4

The Covid-19 negative report has been made mandatory for all government employees on leave and about to resume their duty in Lahaul and Spiti district from today. The decision was taken by the district administration Lahaul Spiti today as a preventive measure in view of the threat of the anticipated third wave of pandemic.

Deputy Commissioner Lahaul Spiti Neeraj Kumar issued an order regarding this today in Lahaul Spiti. In this order the DC stated, “It was observed that there has been rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in some parts of the district. Therefore, as a precautionary measure in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the district and in the larger public interest this decision has been taken under the Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act 2005.”

“All government employees on availing their leave will be allowed to resume duty only after the employee is tested Covid-19 negative. The test should be conducted not more than 72 hours prior from the time of resumption of duty. All heads of department will ensure compliance,” said the DC.

“All labourers, who are testing negative for COVID-19 through RT-PCR, will be allowed to enter the valley and the labourers testing positive would be kept in isolation either in dedicated Covid care centres established at various locations or in home isolation. The responsibility of testing, tracking and housing the labourers shall be of the concerned contractors and any lapse on the part of the contractor shall amount to the violation of the order,” he said.

“This order will come in force with immediate effect in the territorial jurisdiction of Lahaul and Spiti district till further orders. Violation of this order would attract penal provisions as warranted by law,” he said.