Rules regarding sick leave for public officers revert to normal; health authorities say COVID-19 no longer an imminent threat

By Benjamin Flowers: The Government of Belize is no longer concerned about the threat of COVID-19 and has reverted rules regarding sick leave for public officers to normal regulations.

In a memo circulated today by the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Religious Affairs, the decision to return public officers to repeal the emergency rules regarding sick leave brought on by the pandemic, follows updates by health authorities.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in Statutory Instrument No. 100 of 2022 dated 12th July 2022 informed that there is no longer an imminent threat of community spread of COVID-19 as statistics showed a steady decrease in cases at both the district and national level. In this regard, Circular No. 13 of 2020 – Safe Work Arrangements in the Public Service During COVID-19 Pandemic is hereby repealed,” the Ministry said.

With the pandemic provision repealed, the public service reverted to the regulations governing sick leave contained in the Belize Constitution (Public Service) Regulations, 2014.

The special pandemic provisions made to public officers included considerations such as allowing for public officers who show up to work with flu-like symptoms to be isolated; allowing public officers the right to refuse to attend to those who present flu-like symptoms, allowing flexible times for public officers to arrive to work to avoid them traveling on crowded busses, and special considerations made for vacation and sick leave, with recommendations from a medical doctor, for those who had pre-existing conditions or were more vulnerable to COVID-19

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