All central government employees on Wednesday were asked to install the ‘Aarogya Setu’ mobile app immediately and to come to the office when the app shows’ safe’ status for travelling, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.
“Before starting for office, they must review their status on ‘Aarogya Setu’ and commute only when the app shows’ safe’ or ‘low risk’ status,” it said.
“The officers and staff are advised that in case the app shows a message that he or she has a ‘moderate’ or ‘high risk’ calculated based on Bluetooth proximity, he or she should not come to office and self-isolate for 14 days or till the status becomes ‘safe’ or ‘low risk’, the Personnel Ministry said.
In a statement issued to all sectors, it said all the officers, staff (including outsourced staff) working in central government should install ‘Aarogya Setu’ application on their phones, immediately.
The Aarogya Setu app developed by the government helps people to evaluate themselves on the risk of their catching the COVID-19 infection. The app uses the Bluetooth data and location of a user to tell them if they are in a safe vicinity or not.
The app also offers info on the do’s and don’ts, safety procedures to prevent the virus and more. Aarogya Setu also has videos on how to stay safe and maintain social distancing.
A senior officer- Joint Secretary (administration) in all the departments would safeguard firm obedience of the directives, the order said.
“Ministries/departments may issue similar instructions to all autonomous, statutory bodies, PSUs etc. attached to them,” it added.
It also stated that officers of the level of deputy secretary and above have already joined the workplace following the administration’s guidelines. All departments in the central department have been requested to call only one-third of the staff below the deputy secretary level on a rotation basis to work.
The Aarogya Setu app crossed 50 lakh downloads in the first three days since it launched. Till date, the app has been downloaded by over 7.5 crore people.
