COVID-19: STO trials a one-day remote working set-up

State Trading Organization (STO) on Tuesday, will be conducting a one-day test run of a remote working set-up, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

During the remote working set-up, STO will run its operations using as minimal staff on-site as possible, with certain changes made to their overall operating hours.

According to STO, the precautionary measure against COVID-19 was taken in response to government directives to encourage staff to stay at home and work.

The company stated that they were working out arrangements to have as many staff as possible working from home. Accordingly, the company added that changes have been made to services available over the counter at their reception.

Hours of operation during the test-run set-up:

- STO People's Choice Staple Food will be open from 0800 hrs until 1600 hrs

- STO People's Choice Home Improvement will be open from 1400 hrs until 2200 hrs

Prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, the government announced a state of public health emergency on March 12, under which the government has temporarily closed down all government offices and educational institutions, urging the public to practice good hygiene, social distancing and stay home unless absolutely necessary.

Institutions and businesses around the country and around the world, are either closing shop or moving to work in the digital space whenever and wherever possible as a move to 'flatten the curve' or reduce risk of infection and spread by 'social distancing' or decreasing contact and exposure.

Maldives now has 13 confirmed and eight active cases of COVID-19. The country recorded its first two recoveries on March 20, and the third on March 21. Two more recoveries were reported on Monday.

No Maldivians have tested positive for the virus as of yet. So far, only tourists and resort employees have confirmed infections with no local transmissions.

The World Health Organization has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 381,400 and claimed over 16,500 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 102,400 have recovered.