Government services will resume their normal hours starting on Wednesday, 20 April 2022, as per Cabinet directive (22) 20.
Chair of the Public Service Commission Lauano Vaosa Epa, in a statement says that in consideration of other fellow employees who are vaccinated in adherence to Government regulation, any employee who remains unvaccinated without official justification might be prohibited from entering any government premises, including their place of work.
Also all the Chief Executive Officers are to make necessary arrangements to have all staff return to work, with the exception of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as those who are not working onsite and employees caring for children due to school closure, or caring for immediate family members who have tested positive for COVID-19.
These current arrangements are temporary; therefore, employees within these categories are encouraged to start considering other alternative options, particularly for the care of children, so they can return to work once conditions change.
Furthermore, all agencies are advised to adhere to their business continuity plans, particularly in relation to the treatment of staff classified as High Risk.
“These employees are considered to be working from home; therefore, Line Managers are advised to utilize reporting templates to monitor their performance.”
The PSC also noted that except for those with MOH-approved underlying medical conditions, all other unvaccinated employees are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Furthermore, all agencies must continue to observe proper hygiene practices, respiratory etiquette and social distancing in workplaces and this applies to employees and visitors to any Government premises.
“All Agencies must continue to practice the mandatory wearing of facial masks, showing of vaccination cards, as well as maintaining a proper record of external visitors to the Office to enable contact tracing, where and if required and that Children below the age of 12 are prohibited from entering public places, which includes Government official premises.
Lauano also reminded the Government Agencies to submit to the PSC the updated number of staff who tested positive for COVID-19, for the information of the Disaster Advisory Committee and Cabinet.
“Finally, subject to the decision of Cabinet, no adjustments should be made to an employees’ salary and entitlements (e.g., leave) as a result of the above changes.”
