No leave for govt officials until further order: Noida admin

No government officials in Gautam Buddh Nagar will be allowed the leave of absence in coming days in view of the coronavirus outbreak, the district administration ordered on Monday.

Any leave of absence will be granted only in exceptional cases, District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh said.

"All government department heads are hereby directed not to allow any leave of absence to any official till further orders. Leave could be granted only in exceptional cases. This is done to ensure their availability in case of any urgent situation," Singh said in an order.

A copy of the order has also been sent to the chief executive officers of all three local authorities in Gautam Buddh Nagar -- Noida Authority, Greater Noida Authority and Yamuna Expressway Authority.

All schools and colleges have already been ordered by the state government to stay shut till March 22 except for conducting board exams where scheduled.

The district administration has already directed complete closure of cinema halls, swimming pools and gymnasiums and banned public events except marriages and 'unavoidable programmes' till March 31.