15-Day Special Guidelines for Public Officials... Expansion of Remote Work and Ban on Business Trips (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In response to the strengthening of 'social distancing' measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government announced that it will implement the 'Special Guidelines for Civil Servant Attendance Management' until the 5th of next month.

On the 22nd, Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex, "As we have appealed to office workers and business owners to 'avoid crowded environments at the workplace' and to 'go home after work, stay home if sick, and send home if sick,' the public sector will take the lead," emphasizing this policy.

Accordingly, the government plans to expand remote work and, in principle, prohibit domestic and overseas business trips. Park explained, "Departments will be required to conduct remote work at an appropriate ratio without disrupting public-facing services, and we will mandate the use of staggered working hours and staggered lunch breaks to avoid crowded environments in the workplace."

If there are any suspected symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues, employees are instructed not to come to work, and if symptoms appear during work, they must leave immediately to practice 'stay home if sick, go home if sick.'

The special guidelines for civil servant attendance management include the principle of conducting meetings and reports via video or written formats whenever possible. Domestic and overseas business trips are also prohibited in principle, and unnecessary outings and private gatherings should be postponed or canceled, ensuring that civil servants go home after work.

The guidelines apply not only to central government civil servants but also to local government officials and public institution employees. Park, the first head, stated, "The government will take the maximum possible measures to support strong social distancing for 15 days and make every effort to block community transmission of COVID-19."