New Delhi, March 22 (IANS): Amidst lockdown due to the outbreak of coronavirus, all government offices will function with "skeletal staff" and all officers working from home are directed to be available over the phone and other electronic means of communication.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension in a Sunday office memorandum said, that employees, including consultants/contract and outsourced employees, who are required to render essential services within each department. "alone may be asked to attend office from 23rd March until 31st March 2020".

"The Office should function with skeletal staff. Officials who are working from home should be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. They should attend Office if called for, in case of any exigencies of work," It added.

The Ministry also advised the Heads of Departments to draw up roster of employees.

The notification also asked the Department of Financial Services and Department of Public Enterprise to issue similar instructions regarding financial institutions and PSUs.

The said instructions are not applicable to people engaged in emergency services.