Nodal officers in workplaces to check virus spread

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation, in a move to control the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces, has ordered field officials to identify commercial establishments, banks, private companies and others where more than 30 employees work.

According to a circular, the officials, especially in the rank of assistant engineers and junior engineers, would appoint one staffer from each of these firms as nodal officers, who would function as a bridge between the civic body and their workplace.

“The nodal officers will report on cases in their respective organisations to the field officials for further containment activities. We have to submit the lists of organisations with more than 30 employees within a few days. Also, we will be in touch with nodal officers to prepare daily reports,” an official said.

The circular comes at a time when there is a surge in city cases and the test positivity rate has also increased. At present, around 1,300 cases are being reported in the city daily with the test positive rate nearing 10% from the earlier 7%.

The civic body had already constituted division-level teams to monitor social distancing and use of face masks at workplaces and public places. The inspection teams have been asked to call out any violations at construction sites, offices with more than 10 employees, markets, major streets with shops, religious institutions, marriage halls and other sites of gatherings. The teams have been instructed to take action against the violators by collecting the fine amount and closing shops if necessary.

Meanwhile, containment zones in the city have been increased to 70 as on Saturday. On October 4, only 10 streets were converted into containment zones. Corporation Commissioner G Prakash had recently said that such zones are increasing as zonal officials have been instructed to convert streets if 2 or 3 cases are reported