Public servants can return to office after 2 years of WFH: Mia Mottley

Barbados: In a step towards normalcy, the government of Barbados has permitted the public servants to attend their offices from March 1, 2022 (Tuesday).

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announced in a press conference that the public servants, who were working from home for more than two years, can now return to their offices. While addressing the press, she further said that the Cabinet authorities have agreed that the public service shall return to work.

The press conference was also attended by Health Minister Ian Gooding Edgill and Minister of Tourism and International Transport Lisa Cummins.

She further added that the government had taken the decision after the nation witnessed some remote activities in the public offices. She further explained that still there will be an element of flexible work.

The Prime Minister further outlines the various guidelines for the public servant.

She mentioned that people, who will opt for flexible work hours, will have to receive consent from the head of their department and permanent secretary.

During the press briefing, health minister Ian Gooding Edghill also announced some new COVID-related protocols and restrictions; they are as follows:-

• The regulation of six feet physical distance is no longer on the list, except for the places where people do exercise, especially outdoors, without wearing a mask. However, physical distance is necessary at least three feet.
• According to the health ministry, the cruises can operate 100 percent of the total capacity.
• All restrictions on beach activities and parks have been removed.
• Only 80 people are allowed to play cricket at the playgrounds.
• The public services vehicles are allowed to increase the authorized number of sitting passengers from 75 percent to 100 percent and also allowed to wear no mask.
• At the same time, there should be no standing passengers without a mask.

Furthermore, as per the health minister, the positivity rate now stands at 17.5 percent in Barbados, which is coming down from a high of 26 percent four weeks. The ability of the virus to spread is less than one, standing at 0.72 percent; additionally, the seven-day cumulative cases currently standing at 514 per 100,000 population, the health minister said.