March 20-27 declared a 'work from home' period

COLOMBO (News 1st): The government on Thursday, declared a week commencing from Friday the 20th of March till the 27th of March, as a period to "work from home" for both public and private sectors, in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.

"All Ministry Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Chairmen of all State Corporations and Executive Boards and Superintendents were informed of this measure, through a circular issued, bearing the signature of the President's Secretary," President's Media Division said on Thursday. The President's Media Division also said that the week declared to "work from home" was not a public holiday, except for 21st and 22nd March. "The relevant authorities should take steps to ensure the continuous supply of essential services including health, public administration, transportation, banking, food, water, electricity, distribution of fertilizer and the purchase of paddy," the PMD said in a statement on Thursday. The statement said that the activities at District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats should also be continued. According to the circular, heads of all public institutions are instructed to limit the extent of summoning their staff to office, when implementing this remote working system. "The institutions are advised to use alternative approaches such as e-mail, SMS and telephone," the PMD said in its communique. The communique further added that the private sector is also advised through all Chambers to continue with their activities in compliance with the above guidelines.