Madras HC Warns Employees Of Action For Concealing COVID Test Results [Read Circular]

The Madras High Court has warned its workforce that if at any later point of time, it is found that any of the Officer/Staff member and/or their family members residing in the same household were tested positive for COVID-19, and still the concerned Officer/Staff member attended office during the quarantine period, departmental action will be initiated against them.

Vide a circular issued on Saturday, instructions and guidelines for the Officers and Staff of the High Court have been issued for the restricted functioning of the Registry of the High Court w.e.f. July 6. The High Court is resuming functioning from Monday with full strength, though via video conferencing. The Court had restricted its functioning last month to 2 Division Benches and 4 Single Benches after several judges had contracted the Novel Coronavirus.

The Court personnel entering into the High Court campus is required to mandatorily submit self-declaration form provided in the link declaring, a) Using of mask; b) Washed Hands with liquid soap at the entry point c) Sanitizing hands frequently; d) Undergone thermal scanning for temperature; e) Not having symptoms of cough, cold, fever and difficulty in breathing; f) Not a person of co-morbidities; g) Not residing and coming from containment area; h) Not a pregnant woman; i) Family members are not infected by COVID-19.

"Attendance will not be marked for those who are not submitting self declaration form", it is stated.

It is directed that the Officers/Staff members having symptoms of cough, cold, fever and difficulty in breathing; persons with co-morbidities; pregnant women; those residing in containment area, shall not enter into the High Court campus.

Further, in case the Officer/staff member and/or their family members residing in the same household are awaiting results of COVID-19 test, concerned officer/staff member shall not attend office till the test result found to be Negative.

Besides, if any of the Officer/Staff member and/or their family members residing in the same household are tested positive for COVID-19, concerned Officer/Staff member shall not enter into the High Court campus.

"If any of the family member of the Officer/Staff member is tested positive for COVID-19, the concerned Officer/staff member, being the direct contact person, shall immediately subject himself for COVID-19 test and quarantine himself as per the guidelines in force and report to the Registry immediately", it is mandated.

The workforce is warned that if at any later point of time it is found by the Registry that any of the Officer/Staff member and/or their family members residing in the same household were tested positive for COVID-19, and still the concerned Officer/Staff member attended office during the quarantine period, suitable departmental action will be initiated against them, as per rules.

All the Officers in the cadre of Sub Assistant Registrar and above are directed to attend office on all working days. All Heads of Section (Section Officers – Seat-wise) on administrative side, are expected to attend Office on all working days. Concerned Officers of the Sections /Heads of all Section / Overseer shall ensure availability of bare minimum of staff, subject to an approximate of 50% of staff Members to attend office at a time on rotation, and remaining 50% of Staff Members work from home, until further orders.

"As far as possible, the Officers/Staff Members are advised to use their own vehicle to reach office, in order to comply with social distancing. The Officers/Staff members shall wear mask, wash their hands using the liquid soap provided in the entry points, sanitise their hands and undergo thermal scanning for temperature before frisking", stipulates the circular.

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[Read Circular]