The Darjeeling district magistrate has directed all officers working in his office to report for duty from Monday.

Many government offices are not functioning at full strength. Ponnambalam S., the Darjeeling DM, said the district magistrate’s office had to be treated as part of “essential services” that are to function during the lockdown.

Sources said the order states that “the office of the district magistrate, Darjeeling, shall start functioning will full strength of 100% officers and staff, each, with effect from 11th May, 2020, for doing Covid-19 preventive works and other emergency administrative works”.

Ponnambalam told The Telegraph that he was looking at 100 per cent attendance of officers and that efforts should be taken to maintain maximum attendance of staffs.

“If someone has a problem, for example in transportation, we will try and find a solution,” he said.

All employees have been asked to maintain social distancing, wear mask and adopt other safety measures.

Asked if social distancing would be a problem, the DM said: “We will try and limit interaction with the public and our focus will be more on Covid-19-preventive work, emergency work and relief.”

Sources said the order was issued after it was noticed that workload had increased and piled up over some time.

Some employees did maintain that in the absence of public transport few might have problems coming to work every day.