In view of the severity of the COVID-19 epidemic situation, which may continue to deteriorate, the Government needs to take further measures to significantly reduce the flow of people and social contacts in the community so as to curb further spreading of the virus. A Government spokesman announced today (February 3) that bureaux and departments will expand the special work arrangements tomorrow (February 4). Save for those involved in the provision of emergency services and essential public services and in anti-epidemic efforts, all other government employees will be arranged to work from home as far as possible.
The arrangements will be implemented tentatively until February 11. The Government will closely monitor the epidemic situation and review the arrangements in due course.
The spokesman said that during the implementation of the special work arrangements, Government departments will continue to provide emergency services and essential public services. They will also continue to proactively mobilise Government employees at different times to join in the anti-epidemic efforts in different roles. The Government will, depending on the development of the epidemic situation and actual needs, continue to flexibly deploy manpower to support the anti-epidemic efforts in full force.
Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the announcements to be made by individual departments on the latest arrangements of their services. The Government appeals to members of the public for their understanding on the inconvenience caused by the reduction in public services in view of the epidemic. To reduce the flow of people in government buildings and offices, members of the public are encouraged as far as possible to use alternative means, such as the post, drop-in boxes or online channels, to receive the services they need. Meanwhile, members of the public should wear surgical masks at all times when they are entering or are present in any government buildings or offices, and comply with the infection control and social distancing measures implemented by relevant departments including using the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app, temperature checks and crowd control arrangements.
The spokesman appeals to employers to allow their staff members to work from home as far as possible so as to reduce the flow of people and social contact in the community.
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