The Australian Public Service Commission (ASPC) has issued new advice for federal agencies to manage COVID-19.

The new circular removes previous advice from May 2020 for public servants to return to the office “as soon as it is safe to do so”.

It retains a recommendation for agency heads to act on the advice of both the government and health authorities while “ensuring the continued delivery of services to the public”.

Public service minister Katy Gallagher says it is “important” that agencies get ready for the next wave of COVID. 

“We have seen throughout the pandemic that public servants, like many Australians, have successfully worked remotely,” she said. 

“Agencies will make decisions about how to manage their own workforces while taking into account health advice and service delivery requirements,” Ms Gallagher has told the The Canberra Times. 

Australia is in the grips of a new wave of COVID cases, caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variant. 

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) says the reinfection period of COVID-19 has been shortened from 12 weeks to 28 days.

The federal government circular says agencies must pay “careful attention and consider adopting” best practice advice from state or territory health agencies. 

“Given the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and fluctuations in cases, agencies should remain flexible in responding and adapting to changes in such advice,” it says. 

“For operational reasons, some employees will be required to physically attend their usual workplace. For others, flexibility, including working from home arrangements, may be a suitable option,” the advice states.