Aarogya Setu app made mandatory for all central govt employees

April 30: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on April 29 made it compulsory for all central government employees to download the ‘Aarogya Setu’ app, a mobile application developed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT to help citizens identify their risk of contracting COVID-19.

“All the officers, staff (including outsourced staff) working in the central government should download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones, immediately,” the order said. “Before starting for office, they must review their status on Arogya Setu and commute only when the app shows safe or low risk,” it added. “Ministries/ departments may issue similar instructions to all autonomous, statutory bodies, PSUs etc attached to them,” the order said.

All employees have been told to check their status on the app before leaving for work. “Commute only when the app shows ‘safe’ or ‘low risk status’, the employees have been told. The app also helps user self diagnose, provides latest updates and even stores and displays the e-pass. Besides, the app also acts as a potent tool for the government to trace contacts and create a reliable network to identify potential COVID-19 patients.

The order has been sent to all departments, ministries, Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office. The government has also asked all ministries and departments to issue similar instructions to autonomous, statutory bodies and public sector undertakings attached to them.