Pregnant employees allowed to WFH
while taking measures to vaccinate those public servants who are within 18-30 years against COVID-19, said Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Channa Jayasumana yesterday.
He said further that it was decided to take steps for Government employees to work in two shifts – for one group to work from Monday to Wednesday while the other group would work from Thursday to Saturday.
He also said that it was decided to appoint an officer in charge at each Government institution to monitor the implementation of health guidelines. The relevant circulars would be issued by the Public Administration Ministry Secretary.
He made these observations in Parliament joining the Second Reading debate on orders under the Strategic Development Projects Act moved by Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle.
He refuted UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement in which the latter said that the Presidential Task Force to control COVID 19 should be dissolved as it was useless. He said that the statement was incorrect as the Presidential Task force was led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa since its inception.
It has been rendering a commendable service in taking decisions in controlling the COVID-19 spread in the country. The President himself and the relevant Cabinet Ministers and all the other officials participate in those discussions.
He added that at times the trade union leaders too were invited to take part in those discussions.
He said the COVID 19 situation in the country is worsening. He added that the number of the COVID-19 patients depending on Oxygen is increasing and almost all the Oxygen manufactured in the country today is used for the patients’ requirements and hence steps are being taken to import oxygen from India and Singapore within a fortnight.
He added that in respect of the Delta spread, the speculation that the Government is not sensitive to the views of others is totally incorrect. The views of Trade Unions, other institutions, doctors, specialists, local researchers such as Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Prof. Neelika Malavige and Prof. Malik Peiris are considered. The Government readily responded to their views.
He also said that the COVID-19 situation would become uncontrollable due to the protest of the teachers. He added that he did not have any argument with the demands of the teachers and principals but at this critical moment he requested them to postpone their trade union action until vaccines are given to all the people.