Release Date: March 25, 2020
Following Cabinet’s decision to close all non-essential businesses on island for a period of fourteen (14) days effective Thursday March 26, 2020, the Office of the Deputy Governor is informing the public and Government employees that all non-essential Government of Montserrat offices closed at the end of business today (Wednesday March 25, 2020).
This therefore means that as of Thursday March 26, only essential Government of Montserrat staff should attend their workplace.
Public Officers, who do not fall into the ‘essential workers’ category are therefore asked to finalize the necessary arrangements to allow them to work remotely as a matter of urgency, from tomorrow Thursday 26h March 2020. All non-essential civil servants are required to work from home and not return to the workplace until Tuesday April 14, 2020, unless otherwise directed.
The Office of the Deputy Governor has noted that there will be some civil servants who are not essential staff and who will not be able to continue to deliver their work remotely due to the nature of their jobs. These individuals are reminded that they are subject to redeployment to assist with filling any capacity gaps arising from the Government of Montserrat’s COVID-19 response. These employees are therefore asked to remain available and flexible should their services be required.
The following have been identified as essential services at this time:
• Royal Montserrat Police Service (o include Marine and IBSU);
• Fire and Rescue Service;
• Prison Services;
• Ministry of Health and Social Services (All Departments);
• Airport Management;
• Radio Montserrat;
• Government information Unit;
• Cesspool Operators and Driver;
• Security Night Watchmen;
• Customs;
• Supreme Court Registry (births and deaths);
• Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (at the direction of the DPP);
• Attorney General’s Chambers (at the direction of the Attorney General);
• Department of Information and E-Govemment Services (DITES);
• Ministry of Finance (Budget and Economic Team, Treasury, General Post Office) and
• DMCA
Employees in the following areas are expected to be On Call:
• Air Traffic;
• Access;
• External Affairs;
• Cabinet Secretariat;
• PWD;
• Vehicle Maintenance;
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary;
• Plant/Nursery Workers;
• Animal Protection workers, and
• Consular/Passport Services
The above list of areas is subject to review and from time to time adjustments will be made as the situation demands.
All Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments are considered essential personnel and will work either fulltime or remotely or a combination of both. In the case of uniformed services, non-uniform support staff may be deemed essential at the discretion of the Head of Department.
Let’s Contain COVID19 Together!