Punjab Government on Sunday issued advisory on maintaining the hygiene and sanitization while carrying out works under MGNREGA in the wake of Covid-19.
Despite imposing severe restrictions on free movement of people in larger public interest, the Government has allowed essential activities, including works under MGNREGA, to continue or start to minimize hardships, while making it clear that “meticulous compliance of guidelines”, essential to prevent the spread of corona virus, shall be ensured.
As per the guidelines, the supervisory Sarpanch, GRS or mate shall meticulously follow instructions with regard to permissible works under MGNREGA as well as area where work has been allowed to start. Supervisor may develop a comprehensive work-plan in a manner that he or she can alter time of reporting for work at work-site as well as day’s stoppage of work of MGNREGA workers in a manner that though they complete daily work-cycle but at the same time, reporting or see-off is staggered.
Similarly, the work-area shall be allocated at the work-site in a manner that social distancing norm of at least one meter is maintained between the MGNREGA workers.
“All, including Sarpanch or GRS should wear cloth masks at all times. The masks shall be worn in a manner that it snugly covers nose as well as mouth. The cloth mask should be washed with soap and water daily after use,” said the spokepserson.
Regarding the hand washing and sanitization, spokesperson said that availability of water and soap in adequate quantity at work-site should be ensured, and MGNREGA workers should be encouraged to wash hands for at least 40 seconds by applying soap gently on the palm and back of the hand including web spaces between fingers and space as well as between the finger and the thumb and wrist wherever and whenever opportunity to wash hands is available.
He said that a MGNREGA worker suffering from high fever, cough, sneezing or difficulty in breathing should voluntarily report the same to supervisor as well as seek immediate medical advice for timely detection and treatment. MGNREGA workers should not share their lunches or snacks with each other in order to prevent cross-infection.
