Dept to close down office

By JINA AMBA
THE Education Department’s head office in Port Moresby will be closed for two weeks because of the number of staff members tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Education Minister Jimmy Uguro told The National yesterday that a number of officers had contracted the Covid-19 and the closure would allow others to go for testing and for the whole building to be sanitisied.
Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra said the directive applied to all public servants working at the department’s head office at Fincorp Haus in Waigani.
It began yesterday and would end on Nov 16.
Kombra said during the two weeks, essential service divisions of the department would continue to operate.
They include the payroll division, GTFS secretariat, information communication technology, measurement services division, and the financial services division.
He said assistant secretaries in each of those essential service divisions should continue draw up duty rosters for their staff.
Kombra said other divisions should provide tasks for each officer and allow them to work from home.
“The divisional heads must maintain continuous dialogue with their staff using appropriate modes of communication,” Kombra said.
“Individuals who have urgent or important tasks may come to the office to work, but must strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.”