Some public servants back to the office next week, as N.L. hits 7 days with no new COVID-19 cases

There are no new cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday,andsome public service employeeswill begin returning to their regular workplace starting next week.

The total virus caseload remains 261. Oneperson is in hospital. As of Thursday's update, 256 people have recovered, withthree deaths, leaving two active cases.

To date12,819 people have been tested 200 since Wednesday's government briefing.

As of Monday, theprovincial government will begin gradually increasing the number of public service employees in workplaces tocoincide with moving to Alert Level 3.

The provincial government made the announcement via press release on a day when Premier Dwight Ball, Health Minister John Haggie and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald are not available to answer questions from the media, as they are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

But earlier Thursday, during anupdate on the province's financial situation, Finance Minister Tom Osborne said about 20 per cent of public servants will bereturning to the workplace.

"It depends on the sector you're lookingat. But, within the government buildings, the three buildings that make up the Confederation complex, roughly 20 per cent are returning once we enter Level 3 of living with COVID," Osborne said.

"The folks who've had the highest level of productivity at home[will]probably be amongst the last to be called in, but we are evaluating."

In the release, the provincial government saidemployees who have been deemed able to return to the workplace will be contacted by their supervisor, and training materials have been prepared to assist returning employees to "ensure a safe transition,"as well as to highlight hygiene and physical-distancing protocols.

"Any employee who is not contactedshould continue in their current work arrangement unless advised otherwise," reads the news release.

"Changes to program or service delivery associated with this transition, or the easing of public health restrictions, will be issued as they occur. However, online and telephone access to services by the general public is still preferred with urgent in-person matters by appointment only."

Changes coming

Monday will see a loosening of severalpublic health regulations. Some businesses, like salons, will be permitted to open, and some summer camps will be allowed to operate on a limited capacity.

Travel throughout the province can be broadened, as the province has lifted its recommendation to limit travel to essential purposes only.

The provincial government also issued an update on a two-phasereopening ofprovincial parks.

Beginning June 12, provincial parks will be opened to day-use activity. With the exception of Pinware River Provincial Park, parkswill be open for day use Monday to Sunday from 8a.m. to8p.m. Pinware River Provincial Park will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays until there is afull staff in place,but will open on the remaining days from 8 a.m. to8 p.m.

That includes 13 provincial park campgrounds:

• Barachois Pond.
• Butter Pot.
• Blow Me Down.
• Dildo Run.
• Frenchman's Cove.
• JT Cheeseman.
• La Manche.
• Lockston Path.
• Notre Dame.
• Pinware River.
• Pistolet Bay.
• Sandbanks.
• Sir Richard Squires Memorial.

Seven non-camping-related provincial parks will be opened to day-use:

• Arches.
• Cataracts.
• Chance Cove.
• Codroy Valley.
• Deadman's Bay.
• Dungeon.
• Gooseberry Cove.

On June 19, overnight camping will be permitted at provincial campgrounds, with restrictions, such as self-contained units only, no tenting, areduction in available sitesby about 50 per cent, credit and debit only, andplaygrounds, boat rentals, showers and laundry facilities will remain closed. Outhouses will be open for day users.

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