Government Departments are required to work towards 100% capacity in the workplace after almost two years of the crisis created by COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes after Public Service and Administration Director-General; Ms Yoliswa Makhasi issued a circular to all Heads of Departments and Provincial Administrations following Cabinet’s decision to effect changes to adjusted Alert level 1.
In the circular dated February 4, 2022, Ms Makhasi said: “based on the Cabinet decision on changes to adjusted risk alert level 1, Heads of departments are required to work towards 100 percent capacity in the workplace with due regard taken of personnel with comorbidities.
“Officials with comorbidities and/or relevant conditions will be required to apply individually for consideration by Accounting Officers to continue with remote working arrangements.”
Comorbidity means more than one disease or condition is present in the same person at the same time. Conditions described as comorbidities are often chronic or long-term conditions.
“The changes include that those who test positive with no symptoms do not have to isolate. The isolation period for those who test positive with symptoms has been reduced from 10 to 7 days, and contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms.
“A key aspect of the response is that all workplace should continue to adhere to established safety protocols in line with the revised regulations.
“Accounting Officers retain the legal responsibility to determine work requirements and to ensure delivery of the full public service package, taking into account the dynamic and fluid contextual circumstances arising from the declared National Disaster,” the DG said.
South Africa exited the COVID- 19 fourth wave in January 2022 as result of rapid decline of the Omicron variant infections, minimal hospitalisations and deaths thus prompting optimism towards a fully functional economy.
