‘Work from home week’ declared from March 20 to 27

• Essential services to continue
• Method to be used to implement distant-public service mechanism in future

After careful consideration of all aspects, the government has declared a period of work from home for both public and private sectors starting from March 20 to 27, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.  

However, this period is not to be considered as public holidays, except for March 21st and 22nd.  
The PMD said the government would continue public services without any disruption.   
However, as a measure to prevent congregation of people, the government has decided to declare a week of work from home. The experience derived from this methodology will be used to implement a distant-public service mechanism in the future.   
The relevant authorities should take steps to ensure continuous supply of essential services including health, public administration, transportation, banking, food, water, electricity, distribution of fertiliser and buying paddy.  

The activities of District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats should also be continued. When implementing the remote working system, the relevant Heads of Departments should take steps to limit to the extent possible, summoning of their staff to the office.   

The institutions can use alternative approaches like technological means such as e-mail, SMS and telephone as well, to do the file work from home.  

Technological approach should be used to prevent the public from gathering at the offices, and to maintain the delivery of public service properly while solving the problems.   
“If there is any additional cost involved in using personal telephones, the government will provide necessary relief in this regard.  

In a situation like this the government expects all government officials to follow the proper strategy to maintain the delivery of public services.  

The main objective is to prevent the spread of corona virus to the level of an epidemic. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Heads of Institutions to apprise their employees regarding their strategies while implementing a proper system to limit their staff, as the services provided by various organisations are different.  

The Private Sector has also been advised through all Chambers of Commerce to do their business as per the above mentioned guidelines, the statement by the PMD said.