Health ministry shuts down office for 2 days

nNEWDELHI: The Union ministry of health will be shut for two days to disinfect the premises after around a dozen people tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) in Nirman Bhawan.

Nirman Bhawan, which houses the ministry of health, ministry of power, and ministry of urban affairs, among others, will be disinfected on June 6 and 7. “Many cases are being reported and we don’t know where these cases are coming from. A lot of people are at risk; we heard a driver was infected and since carpooling is happening these days, the other four people sitting in the car also contracted the infection. That’s probably why it was thought to disinfect the building,” said an official, who did not wish to be identified. It is unlikely that the ministry’s health briefings are going to get affected.

The ministry issued preventive guidelines among its staff for compliance that includes wearing of masks, entry of only asymptomatic people, no loitering of employees in corridors, staggered work hours, and avoiding group lunches. “It has been noticed that at times social distancing is not being maintained in office premises. Hence, all official/staff are advised to take the precautionary measures strictly in order to contain spread of Covid-19,” said the office memo.

While people with flu-like illness have been prohibited from entering the building, those who had given their samples for testing are supposed to inform the administration and not report to work till the result is out.