PM Mottley announces resumption of public servants back to offices in Barbados

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley declared that the public servants who were working from home over the two years due to the COVID-19 would be back to the office from Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The announcement has been made through the press conference on the COVID-19 update, in which PM Mottley stated that the Cabinet authorities have agreed that there shall be the return to work by the public servants.

Health Minister Ian Gooding Edgill and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins, also joined Mia Mottley in the press conference.

She emphasized that the government has taken the decision after witnessing some level of remote activity in the public offices. "Even though in the third quarter of 2020, we saw increased attendance back at work, so it is our judgment that it is safe for persons to return fully," added Mia Mottley.

However, she further explained that will still be an element of flexible work like the prior to the establishment of the regime for the pandemic, advised by the social partnership.

While outlining various guidelines for the public servant, PM Mottley explained that people who will partake in flexible work must receive the consent of their head of department and the permanent secretary.

She further reiterated that this provision would be applicable for all, especially those who are operating from home, as happened in certain departments before.

The decisions have been taken after a decline in the number of cases in Barbados, underscored PM Mottley while stressing that the situation of COVID-19 is under control but not yet completely vanished.

Moreover, the Health Minister of Barbados named Ian Gooding Edghill also informed about the various changes in the COVID-19 protocols and stated:

• The six feet’ physical distance in the rule would no longer apply, except where persons exercise together outdoors without wearing a mask.
• While, in all other cases, the physical distance remained at least three feet. Health Minister announced the resumption of hiking the restoration of pleasure craft and private chartered boats for private cruises.
• The cruises could operate with 100 percent of the capacity. There are no further restrictions on beach activity and parks. At least 80 people can play cricket, not more than.

The public services vehicles are allowed to increase the authorized number of sitting passengers from 75 percent to 100 percent and also allowed to travel without mask.

At the same time, there should be no standing passengers without a mask.

While highlighting the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Minister noted that the positivity rate now stands at 17.5 percent in Barbados, which is coming down from a high of 26 percent four weeks ago.

Moreover, the ability of the virus to spread is below one and stood at 0.72 percent; in addition, the seven-day cumulative cases currently standing at 514 per 100,000 population, outlined the health minister.

He further stated that the COVID-19 situation is now under control in Barbados. The schools have re-opened and based on reports by the ministry of education that there are no additional cases reported from the schools, added Edghill.