PSU, govt employees told to check health on Aarogya Setu before coming to work

• Travel for work only if the app shows "safe" or "low risk" status, the order said

• Self-isolate for 14 days if the app shows a 'moderate' or 'high risk,' the DoPT said

New Delhi: In an advisory released on Wednesday, the Centre has asked all its employees and PSU employees, including outsourced staff, to ascertain their health status on Aarogya Setu app and travel for work only if the app shows "safe" or "low risk" status. "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 'Aarogya Setu' and commute only when the app shows 'safe' or 'low risk' status," said an order from the Department of Personnel and Training.

'Self-isolate for 14 days if app shows moderate or high risk'

The order also said, "The officers/staff are advised that in case the App shows a message that he/she has a 'moderate' or 'high risk' calculated on the basis of Bluetooth proximity (recent contact with infected person), he/she should not come to office and self-isolate for 14 days or till the status becomes 'safe' or 'low-risk.'"

While holding the Joint Secretary (Administration) responsible for ensuring compliance with these directions, the DoPT order asked all ministries and departments to issue similar instructions to all autonomous/statutory bodies and PSUs attached to them.

The backdrop

The news comes a day after the central Delhi offices of Niti Aayog was sealed for 48 hours after an employee tested positive for Coronavirus. The app provides information on best practices and advisories on how to contain the spread of Coronavirus. It also shows the user's risk factor depending on their movement and proximity to infected or at risk people, on the basis of Bluetooth data. However, the Bluetooth data feature has raised concerns about privacy issues. "Your data will only be shared with the Government of India. The app does not allow your name and number to be disclosed to the public at large at any time," the app tells the user before registration.