Starting Monday, June 8, the Provincial Government will begin the process of gradually increasing the number of public service employees in physical workplaces. This coincides with Newfoundland and Labrador moving to Alert Level 3 in ‘NLife with COVID-19: A Foundation for Living with COVID-19.’
Since March, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have rallied together, followed public health advice, and practiced physical distancing. Through our collective efforts we have successfully flattened the curve. As a result, and based on public health advice, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has developed comprehensive plans to ensure public service employees’ gradual, safe return to the workplace.
Over the coming days, employees who have been identified to return to the workplace will be contacted by their supervisor to discuss this transition. Any employee who is not contacted, should continue in their current work arrangement unless advised otherwise.
Training materials have been prepared to assist employees returning to the workplace and will be available on PSAccess. This training will help ensure a safe transition, as well as highlight the new protocols that will be in place to ensure appropriate hygiene and physical distancing. This training is important for all employees, including those who have continued to work in government settings throughout the pandemic, as protocols will shift once the overall employee presence begins to increase.
Changes to program or service delivery associated with this transition, or the easing of public health restrictions, will be issued as they occur. However, online and telephone access to services by the general public is still preferred with urgent in-person matters by appointment only.
It is essential that appropriate health and safety guidelines are in place and followed to ensure that public service employees have access to a safe workplace, and the public has safe access to programs and services. Government thanks everyone for their dedication and patience.
As everyone in the province continues to adapt to living with COVID-19 in our communities, we must all follow public health guidelines: practice good hygiene; maintain a physical distance of at least two metres/six feet; wear appropriate protective equipment if you cannot maintain physical distancing; and stay home if you are sick or not feeling well.
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Media contact
Marc Budgell
Finance and Human Resource Secretariat
709-729-2477, 689-0430
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca