Goa: Government, banking, media staff get frontline-worker status

PANAJI: In a major and much-awaited decision, the state government on Monday decided to recognise state and central government employees, workers of banking institutions and journalists, among others, as frontline workers. They will get preference during the upcoming vaccination drive for those in the 18-44 age group as also in the ongoing one for those above the age of 45.
Those employed in care homes meant for senior citizens, children with disabilities, widows, etc, have also been granted frontline worker status by the state government.
“People working in the sectors are contributing to the fight against Covid-19 on a daily basis by being at the forefront and are, thus, at risk of contracting the disease in furtherance of their duties,” the state government has stated.
Employees engaged in provision of telecommunication and internet services as certified by the director for IT have also been categorised as frontline workers in Goa, the state government said.
“The state government resolved to recognise the following persons as frontline Covid-19 workers: State Government employees and central government employees as certified by their respective heads of departments or any officer authorised to certify by them,” the state release said.
This will include all employees of autonomous, semi-government, public sector undertakings of central or state government, employees of banking institutions, employees/workers of homes for children/people with disabilities/senior citizens/destitutes/women/widows, etc, as certified by director for women and child development or director for social welfare or any officer authorised to certify them.
Accredited journalists and other media personnel as certified by the directorate of information and publicity have also been declared frontline workers.