Govt to declare 6-day period for public, private sectors to work from home

The government of Sri Lanka has decided to declare a period of six working days from 20th to 27th of March for employees of the public and private sectors to work from home.

This measure is being implemented as a means to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) by minimizing movement and gathering of the general public during the outbreak.

It is noted that this period of six days is not a public holiday and the heads of relevant workplaces are to decide on the spells of work that the employees should cover.

However, authorities will ensure that health, bank, transport, and essential services will be continued as usual, according to the circular issued on the matter by the Presidential Secretariat. Local government services, district secretariats, and divisional secretariats will also continue service.

Meanwhile, heads of workplaces should ensure continuous service by using technological tools such as email, SMS, telephone instead of summoning the staff to offices.

Further, public offices should take steps to serve and resolve public issues through methods such as telephone and email.

The government will provide relief for the cost of telephone charges if personal phones are used for the aforementioned services, the circular further read.

Circular issued on 2020-03-19 declaring 6 days to work from home by Ada Derana on Scribd