New Delhi, Oct 8 (Agency) In a push to increase vaccination coverage, The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) ordered on Friday that government employees who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine will be barred to attend office from October 16 onwards. Additionally, all such unvaccinated government employees, including healthcare workers frontline workers and teachers will be marked “on leave” till they get the at least the first dose, it added.
The decision was taken in a meeting held on September 29 to ensure 100 per cent vaccination of government employees, the order noted. “..it was decided to ensure 100% vaccination of all Government employees, healthcare workers, frontline workers as well as teachers and other staff working in schools/colleges, as these categories of persons have frequent interaction with general public/vulnerable section of the society,” the order read. The DDMA directed all the government employees to get vaccinated, at least with the first dose, by October 15. The employees “who do not get vaccinated (at least first dose) by 15.10.21 shall not be allowed to attend their respective offices/healthcare institutions/educational institutions with effect from 16.10.21 till they have obtained the first dose vaccine,” it said. The heads of departments concerned will verify vaccinated employees through the Aarogya Setu app or vaccination certificate, it stated.
The order, issued by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, said that the central government “may consider issuing similar directions in respect of its employees working in Delhi.” According to the DDMA directions, the heads of concerned departments will have to verify the vaccination status of their staff employees through the Aarogya Setu app or vaccination certificates. Meanwhile, the order, issued by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, also said that the central government “may consider issuing similar directions in respect of its employees working in Delhi.”