‘ Lockdown’ for civil servants this Easter
No leave - All expected at their work stations
Government has taken a decision to bar civil servants from taking leave this coming Easter Holidays.
According to a Savingram from Permanent Secretary to the President Elias Magosi, all Permanent Secretaries and head of departments are directed that no public officers will, with immediate effect, be permitted to take leave “now and during the upcoming Easter Holidays, unless under exceptional circumstances which shall be approved by the Permanent Secretary”.
Magosi has indicated that all public officers will remain at their duty stations during this period. He said the same should be communicated to all parastatals under the various ministries to do likewise. Magosi revealed that to ensure restriction of movement, very limited permits will be issued during the holidays.
“A decision has been taken that with immediate effect, all Executive Management at E2 are excluded from any or all rotational work from home ( WFH) or flexible work arrangements ( FWA) communicated via Circular Savingram Ref: DP 19.72 VIII ( XX) issued by the Directorate of Public Service Management on the 29th January 2021.
“Officers at these levels should only partake in WFH or FWH following prior approval from the Permanent Secretary to the President and after signing a WFH agreement,” Magosi said in a Savingram dated March 24th 2021.
Magosi pointed out that all addresses shall ensure that appropriate performance agreements are signed for all officers in their Ministries Departments and Agency ( MDAs) who have been designated for WFH and FWA rotations.
They shall ensure that performance for this category of staff is monitored and maintained to ensure that there are no lapses in service delivery and continuity.
“That the said staff do not engage in no- work related activities including running their businesses, going to cattle post without approval of their Permanent Secretary and ensure that they are reachable and accessible at all time,” stated Magosi, adding that all these measures will last for two weeks from Wednesday 24th March 2021, and maybe reviewed as appropriate.
This directive comes a day after President Mokgweetsi Masisi varied the times for curfew. According to the Government Gazette Masisi in accordance with Regulation 5 ( 1) and ( 4) of the Emergency Powers ( COVID- 19) Regulations, 2020, and on evidence submitted to him by the Director of Health Services that the risks posed by COVID- 19 have increased in Botswana, varied the restriction on movement from the 23rd March, 2021 to the 31st March, 2021.
The restriction on movement of persons shall continue to apply from 2000 hours to 0400 hours daily and for the avoidance of doubt a person shall be required to carry a movement permit ( essential services) issued under Regulation 7 ( 1) to travel during the hours where movement is restricted; and from the 23rd March, 2021 to the 31st March, 2021, all gatherings are suspended with the exception of a meeting of Cabinet; a meeting of the National Assembly; a meeting of a Council; a meeting of the National Task Force on COVID- 19; and a funeral which may be held with a maximum of 50 persons for a maximum of two hours.