Lockdown guidelines: IT-ITeS allowed to resume work; Nasscom hails move

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday permitted information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services firms to function at 50 per cent strength beginning April 20, but most are unlikely to open up operations instantly in the absence of long-term solutions for ending the coronavirus pandemic.

Most companies are going to continue to let employees work from home. When they do allow employees to come back in larger numbers, social distancing plans, frequent sanitization and temperature checking plans are likely to be put in place as a more longer-term plan.

Allowing IT/ITeS services as part of the permitted activities from April 20, the MHA circular noted, “These limited exemptions will be operationalised by states/UTs/district administrations based on strict compliance to existing guidelines.