Delhi Govt dept unvaccinated staff can face jail term up to one year

Delhi government employees were barred from working without getting at least one shot of an anti-Covid vaccine. . Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has clarified that non-compliance with the order can attract action, including a prison term of up to a year. The DDMA had issued an order on October 8, mandating employees in departments, autonomous bodies, PSUs, local and educational bodies under the Delhi government, to at least get the first vaccine dose by October 15. 

Unvaccinated employees were not allowed to attend office on October 16 and were told that the period of absence from duty till they get at least one dose, would be treated as "on leave".

The decision was taken in a meeting of the DDMA on September 29, 2021, aimed at ensuring 100% vaccination of all government employees, frontline workers, healthcare workers, teachers etc, who have frequent interaction with the public.

An employee's vaccination status will be verified by the respective heads of departments through a certificate of vaccination or the Arogya Setu app.

"All departments have to now compile this data and see that employees are vaccinated. That is why all departments would issue orders to ensure that the staff is aware of the need to comply with the DDMA order," a Delhi government official said. "Most government employees, however, have been vaccinated at least with one dose," he said.