The government today announced a series of rules pertaining to the extension of the nationwide lockdown, including how workplaces will operate after May 3.

As per the rules of the lockdown extension, workplaces can open in green and orange zones while private offices can work with 33 percent strength in red zones.

Here are the rules that have been mandated for workplaces, both private and public.

Wearing of face cover is compulsory in all workplaces and adequate stock of such face covers shall be made available.

All persons in charge of workplaces shall ensure social distancing as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, both within the workplaces and in company transport

Social distancing at workplaces shall be ensured through adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff, etc.

Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitizer preferably with touch free mechanism will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas. In addition, sufficient quantities of handwash and sanitizer shall be made available in the workplaces.

Frequent sanitization of entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact eg door handles etc., shall be ensured, including between shifts

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes

Use of Arogya Setu app shall be made mandatory for all employees, both private and public It shall be the responsibility of the Head of the respective Organizations to ensure 100% coverage of this app among the employees

Large physical meetings to be avoided

Hospitals, clinics in the nearby areas, which are authorized to treat COVID-19 patients, should be identified and list should be available at workplace all the times. Employees showing any symptoms of COVID-19 should be immediately sent for check-up to such facilities. Quarantine areas should be earmarked for isolating employees showing symptoms till they are safely moved to the medical facilities