President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has shared the precautionary plan with detailed measures be taken in regards to preventing COVID-19 spread, to prioritise safeguarding Civil Servants and minimise government spending with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and instructed them to carry out the relevant actions to implement the plan. The move came following the discussion held during the Cabinet Minister's meeting last Thursday.
President Solih shared the administration's thorough plans with the CSC and instructed the Committee to take careful measures to ensure all civil servants and public safety. Some of the President's recommendations for action includes instructing employees with symptoms of respiratory infection or COVID19 to remain at home and act according to the guidance of medical practioners; suspend all work functions; events; meetings, unless absolutely required and via modern technology such as teleconferencing in such a situation; and to discourage and avoid using fingerprints for verification on getting services from Government offices. He asked the CSC to prepare and implement the plan to maintain essential services and operations, using minimal onsite manpower, by March 16th, and also recommended the Commission prepare a detailed operational plan that will come into action for a suspected COVID-19 case at the workplace.
The President also detailed the changes that will come into places if the current health emergency level was to be raised to 'Orange' or 'Red' alert levels. If 'Emergency Orange Alert' is issued, employers must allow 30 days leave for employees above the age of 55, pregnant employees and any employees with a history of heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. If ‘Emergency Red Alert’ issued, it is instructed to only use the minimum number staff possible to deliver essential services and advise all staff, who are able to, to work from home to ensure the delivery of these crucial services. Furthermore, he firmly noted that salary and allowances will remain unchanged regardless of any escalation of circumstances due to COVID-19.
President Solih recommended that CSC inform all civil servants to limit all travel and outdoor activities during working hours and to heed the advice of health service professionals.