PSU calls for shift system

The Public Service Union (PSU) has called on the Minister of the Public Service to institute a shift system within the Public Service to mitigate against the possible shut down of entire Government departments should members of staff test positive for Covid-19.

In a release issued yesterday, the PSU said the number of adult nationals without recent travel history who have tested positive for COVID-19 “is evidence that the local threat from the coronavirus is continuing to grow at a worrying rate in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The release said many of the services provided at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital have been modified due to concerns about the spread of the disease.

“A public declaration has been made that several senior health officials were advised to quarantine as a precautionary measure because they were in close contact with an individual who tested positive for the virus.

“The Public Service Union (PSU) is fearful that the operations of the Public Service can be negatively affected if Public Servants were to contract the disease. If one officer in a department or ministry were to test positive for the coronavirus, this can result in the shutdown of that unit or department, crippling the delivery of critical public services.

“The Public Service Union is fearful that this situation will soon be manifested and is appealing to the Minister of Public to address the issue of instituting a shift system in the Public Service to mitigate against such an eventuality,” the release said.