New Delhi, May 18 (IANS): The Central Government on Monday said that biometric attendance will continue to be suspended during the fourth phase of the lockdown as it issued guidelines on regulation of attendance in government offices.

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said that all officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above shall attend office on all working days.

"Biometric attendance shall continue to be suspended until further orders. For regulating the attendance of officers and staff below the level of Deputy Secretary, all Heads of the Department shall prepare a roster so as to ensure that 50 per cent of officers and staff attend office on every alternate day," the guidelines added.

Those officers or staff who are not required to attend office on a particular day shall work from home and should be available on telephone and electronic means of communications at all times.

"All Heads of the Department shall also ensure that the 50 percent officers and staff who attend office observe staggered timings: 1st shift - 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., 2nd shift - 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 3rd shift - 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m."