European Commission goes teleworking by default over COVID-19. The European Commission is switching all staff in “non-critical functions” to remote working from next Monday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/eu-policies/health-eu-policies/coronavirus-italy-on-high-alert-and-eu-tests-its-readiness-for-covid-19/ #eudebates #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID <br /><br />In an email sent to staff today the Commission writes that president Ursula von der Leyen has activated a business continuity plan that requires all but those in “critical functions” to telework from next Monday.<br /><br />Previously the EU’s executive body had been implementing limited teleworking for high risk employees such as those returning from Italy for 14 days after their return.<br /><br />It’s not clear how many Commission staff are defined as carrying out “critical” functions — but it seems likely that thousands will be working from home or remotely next week. In all, the Commission employs around 32,000 people.<br /><br />Per the email, staff deemed to be carrying out a critical function will already have been informed they are expected to continue to present at work, with “modalities” and “guidelines” to explain working arrangement slated to follow “soon”.<br /><br />Earlier this week the European Parliament also told staff to prep for mass remote working Monday. Initially vulnerable staff with pre-existing health conditions had been told to telework to limit their risk of being exposed to the novel coronavirus. <br /><br />The Commission had also already been instructing staff to switch to videoconferencing for missions, meetings and committees where possible.<br /><br />Belgium, where the Commission is mainly based, has been reporting rising numbers of cases of COVID-19. Today its federal health authority reported 85 new cases today — bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 399.<br /><br />The Commission itself reported the first cases (two) of COVID-19 among staff earlier this month. <br /><br />In recent weeks a number of politicians in countries across Europe have also been confirmed as having contracted the novel coronavirus.
