Centre makes Aarogya Setu App compulsory for Central govt employees

New Delhi: The Centre has made the use of Aarogya Setu app mandatory for all central government employees, saying that this mobile application will play a crucial role in breaking the chain of transmission of deadly Covid-19.

Those working in the Central government, including officers and outsourced staff, will have to review their status on the app before they start for office. They can come report to work only when if it reflects “safe” or “low risk” status.

The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on Wednesday directed all Central government employees to download ‘Aarogya Setu’ app on their mobiles and commute to the office only when it shows safe or low-risk status against COVID-19.

“All the officers, staff (including outsourced staff) working in Central government should download ‘Aarogya Setu’ App on their mobile phones, immediately. Before starting for office, they must review their status on the app and commute only when the app shows ‘safe’ or low risk’ status,” the Ministry said in an order.

If the app shows a message that an employee has a “moderate” or “high risk” calculated on the basis of Bluetooth proximity — recent contact with an infected person — then he/she should not come to office and self isolate for 14 days or till the status becomes “safe or low risk”, it said.

G Jayanthi, Joint Secretary of the government of India, has been instructed to ensure that above directions are strictly followed in the respective ministry or department.

“Ministries/departments may issue similar instructions to autonomous/statutory bodies, PSUs etc. attached to them,” the Ministry order read.

The Aarogya Setu app has been developed by the Government of India in the public-private partnership to fight against the COVID-19. The app enables people to assess themselves the risk for their catching the coronavirus infection.

(With ANI inputs)