With the third phase of unlocking, offices started operating full time beginning today except for those in higher risk areas that include Phuentshogling, Gelegphu, Samtse, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Under the new normal, the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) has asked all government agencies to amend their workspace and working procedures to align with the COVID-19 protocols. As of today, there are more than 30,000 civil servants including health workers and teachers in the country.
As the RCSC employs the largest workforce in the country, the new normal necessitates new working arrangements such as working from home and working in split teams. However, if the office space allows for sufficient and safe physical distance, staff can work from the office as usual.
“Under this new normal we have asked agencies to firstly consider safe physical distance for staff to come back and work from the office. If that is not possible, we have asked agencies to then consider about splitting into teams so that some can still continue to work from home. So those who are working from home should observe certain protocol. And there are some primary caregivers like mothers of very young children, especially children under one, and also some civil servants who have other health conditions can be given the option to work from home under this new normal,” said Tashi Pem, the Director of the RCSC.
Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, RCSC has also asked all public agencies to prepare staff engagement plans for any future lockdowns.
“If at all if we go into another future lockdown, we advise our agencies to make staff engagement plans so that even during the lockdown situation where staff are required can work from home. But for those who are providing essential services whether it is a lockdown or not, they have to come in the forefront and deliver the frontline essential services as we have done it during this current lockdown,” she added.
And with lockdown restrictions relaxed in the final phase, life and businesses are more or less back on track with the movement of private vehicles in addition to public transportation. However, according to the Prime Minister’s Office Facebook page, the movement of vehicles beyond the district will be allowed only from September 11 when the final phase ends. While additional shops like electronics, printing, and furniture started operating from today, barbershops and salons, non-essentials like garments and footwear will remain closed in this phase. No public gatherings or outdoor activities like picnic, hiking, or visiting spiritual sites are allowed.
Sonam Pem
