The State government may suspend the touch-based biometric time and attendance system for its employees in view of the COVID-19 threat, on the lines of what has been announced by the Centre.
Minister for Medical Education K. Sudhakar said in Mysuru on Saturday that many IT companies had already suspended the biometric attendance system in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. Given the threat perception, the government was also contemplating the same and would consider it. However, he did not specify from when it would be initiated.
With regard to the preparedness to handle the threat, Dr. Sudhakar said the government was extremely cautious from the last 20 days and had taken precautionary measures. “All international passengers at the airport are being screened. So far, nearly 1 lakh passengers have been screened and anyone with symptoms will be quarantined for 28 days.”
There are no cases in Karnataka, but precautionary measures to screen and isolate patients with symptoms have been taken even at the district and taluk levels. Blood testing and analysis laboratories have been opened in the districts, he said.
In all, 2,500 beds have been reserved for people with symptoms and who may have to be kept in isolation. He also appealed to the people not to panic and rued the demand for masks. He said the N95 mask was not necessary for normal and healthy people and was essential only for those under observation or displaying symptoms of COVID-19 besides health professionals who are in constant contact with people.
