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Mutant coronavirus strain puts work places in tight spot
Public and private sector offices are taking more precautions in the wake of the detection of highly contagious mutant coronavirus disease strains in the country.
The UK mutant virus strain, B.1.1.7, was confirmed in Sri Lanka in mid February in patients in Colombo, Avissawella, Biyagama and Vavuniya as well as a few people in quarantine. A lab technologists union has said the mutant strain could have spread everywhere in Sri Lanka.
Social distancing and other health precautions in place at a state institute. Pic by Indika Handuwala
J.J.Ratnasiri, the secretary of the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government, said it is impossible for government employees to work from home. The majority are reporting to work but have limited contact with the public.
“Instructions have been given to heads of state institutions to make sure employees follow guidelines introduced by the Health Ministry, to conduct random testing, and to immediately quarantine close associates of employees who contract the virus,” the secretary said.
He said that unlike in the first wave, there was no lockdown in the second wave and institutions have to function.
The director general of Urban Development Authority N.P.K.Ranaweera, said out of all 1,815 employees, those above junior management have to report to work while 60 percent, including clerks and drivers work on roster basis.
“Our chairman and his personal driver also tested positive, and all close contacts went through several rounds of PCR and antigen tests. Some were under quarantine as well,” said Mr. Ranaweera.
He said temperature checking and hand washing facilities are available for employees as well as for a limited number of public visitors.
“Making payments and approvals are mostly done online. We can minimise the crowds coming to the UDA. However, a separate counter is available for those who are unable to access online facilities,” he said.
Commissioner of Labour, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, said although an appointment system is available online, this is not practical as people do visit the Labour Secretariat seeking services especially on EPF matters.
“About 150 people are allowed, seating arrangements have been made with a one metre distance. Temperature checks and hand washing facilities are available. Random antigen tests are done on employees and transport is given to employees arriving from distant areas,” Mr. Chandrakeerthi said.
Motor Traffic Commissioner Sumith Alahakoon, said the Motor Traffic Department continues to provide services based on appointments to prevent large crowds coming to its Narahenpita head office and Werahera branch.
“Due to the coronavirus situation in some offices, some sections were forced to close and employees had to self-quarantine. In the head office, one employee’s spouse was infected. About one third of her branch had to be sent to quarantine. After she later tested negative, others were called back to work.’’
He said the Hambantota district office was closed for a week and the Matara district office shut for two weeks after an examiner was infected.
Meanwhile, in the private sector, most employees are told to report to work. Only if an employee tests positive, his or her close contacts are asked to self-quarantine and offices disinfected.
A senior official of a construction company in Colombo, said transport is arranged for those who would usually come from afar by public transport.
“We are working in batches, with a set of employees reporting the first few days of the week, and another set on other days,” she said.
In some private sector companies, all employees are at work and the work space has been adapted to comply with health guidelines.
“It is extremely hard to maintain distance in an office. But restrictions in lunch rooms and common rest rooms, temperature checks, hand sanitizing/washing facilities can be done. Some employees even do not wear face masks within office premises,” a human resources manager in the private sector said.
Technology firms however, have been able to adapt to the ‘new normal’ work setting with many continuing to work from home.