Cabinet at its meeting held on Wednesday 10th February, 2021, noted that there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda.
The safety of its employees is a top priority for the Government and in response to the threat of COVID-19 spreading to the local population of Antigua and Barbuda, a number of decisions have been taken in an effort to manage and minimize any potential adverse health and economic fallout.
Cabinet approved the following guidelines that shall be applicable to ALL employees of Public Service/Statutory Corporations/Government Agencies:
1. Any employee within the Public Service/Statutory Corporations/Government Agency suffering from chronic conditions or serious medical conditions which may place them at an elevated risk of contracting COVID-19, may, on the provision of a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner, immediately apply for vacation leave up to 30 days.
2. Where any employee exhibits symptoms, related to COVID-19 the following steps must be taken:
a. notify supervisors and appropriate medical authorities once protocols are adhered to;
b. act responsibly and seek medical attention by calling the COVID Hotline at 1-268-462-6843;
c. self-quarantine until the appropriate medical advice and protocol have been instructed.
The Ministry of Health must be notified of any such incidents.
3. Where applicable, employees may be permitted to work remotely from home where the Permanent Secretary/Head of Statutory Corporation, in consultation with the Minister of the relevant Ministry/Statutory Corporation, has determined that the duties may be performed from home and the employee is known to suffer from any comorbidities that make them predisposed to adverse effects of COVID-19.
The Permanent Secretary/Head of Statutory Corporation/Government Agency shall be responsible for putting the appropriate monitoring mechanisms in place.
4. Commencing immediately and effective for the next thirty (30) days, the Permanent Secretary/Head of Statutory Corporation/Government Agency, within the various Ministries/Statutory Corporations/Government Agency, with the concurrence of the Cabinet, shall be authorized to vary the normal hours of the work week where the circumstances require such action directly related to safeguarding the health of employees in response to the current situation.
