The Government has been striving to safeguard the health and safety of its staff, while providing services to members of the public.

The Civil Service Bureau made the statement today in response to media enquiries about work arrangements for government employees under the COVID-19 epidemic.

It pointed out that during the implementation of the special work arrangement in the past, most of the disciplined services staff and other frontline staff had to work as usual to maintain public services.

Due to the latest situation of the epidemic, the bureau has already reminded bureaus and departments to strictly implement targeted social distancing and infection control measures, including implementing staggered working and lunch hours and adopting a roster system.

Meanwhile, departments have a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment such as masks, and partitioning in workplaces has also been put in place.

The Government will stay vigilant and continue its preventive measures against the virus.

The bureau has also issued guidelines to bureaus and departments reminding them that they can, on the premise of not affecting the provision of public services, draw up social distancing measures, including working from home, to protect the health and safety of their staff.

Additionally, if colleagues have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to wait for test results, the departments concerned will make flexible arrangements and give them support in accordance with the actual circumstances.

The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic’s development and review the situation to safeguard the health and safety of its staff.