Delhi govt contemplating shutting down some of its offices in view of coronavirus: Sources

The Delhi government is contemplating shutting down its offices, barring essential services like health and public transport, in view of the coronavirus outbreak, sources said on Wednesday.

They said a final decision on it will be taken on Thursday when Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are scheduled to hold a high-level meeting to review the status and take further measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"Health department, public transport and food and civil supplies department are among government departments which will continue to function. Registration of properties, issuance of driving licence may be stopped," one of the sources said.

Earlier in the day, a Delhi government employees' association met the chief minister and demanded closure of all government offices for a week in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Umesh Batra, general secretary of the Delhi Government Employees Welfare Association, said around 2.5 lakh people are employed with the Delhi government and most of them are engaged in public dealings.

In its memorandum, the association said, "The precaution taken by the Maharashtra government should be adopted by the Delhi government by closing all its offices for seven days."

Batra said the association has requested the chief minister that if the government is not interested in closing all offices, it can allow some public offices to function on alternate days.

"We have given a list of 86 departments which can be fully closed while 68 government offices can be allowed to function on alternate days," he said.

"Registrar and MLO offices can be closed because property registration and driving licence can be issued later," he said.

The memorandum stated that Delhi Police, responsible for the security of the secretariat, should be given strict instructions to use metal detectors to check people entering the premises.

The number of coronavirus cases across the country has risen to 147.

The Delhi government has declared coronavirus an epidemic and shut down all cinema halls, schools and colleges, except those where exams are on, till March 31. The government also made it compulsory to disinfect all public places, including government and private offices and shopping malls, every day.

In its memorandum, the association said, "The precaution taken by the Maharashtra government should be adopted by the Delhi government by closing all its offices for seven days."

Batra said the association has requested the chief minister that if the government is not interested in closing all offices, it can allow some public offices to function on alternative days.

"We have given a list of 86 departments which can be fully closed while 68 government offices can be allowed to function on alternate days," he said.

"Registrar and MLO offices can be closed because property registration and driving license can be issued later," he said.

The memorandum stated that Delhi Police, responsible for the security of the secretariat, should be given strict instructions to use metal detectors to check people entering the premises.

The number of coronavirus cases across the country has risen to 147.

The Delhi government has declared coronavirus an epidemic and shut down all cinema halls, schools and colleges, except those where exams are on, till March 31. The government also made it compulsory to disinfect all public places, including government and private offices and shopping malls, every day.

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