Waterloo region to wait for cue from province before reopening administrative buildings

The Region of Waterloo will wait for the go-ahead from the province before reopening administrative buildings.

The province is expected to enter phase two of reopening in early to mid-June and the region says it will follow suit at that time. The region had previously said all administrative buildings would be closed until May 31.

The province announced on Wednesday it is extending its emergency orders to at least June 9.

Regional CAO Mike Murray said Wednesday that given the announcement from the province to extend the emergency orders, reopening in the region is "likely to be closer to mid-June than early June but we're actively monitoring that."

He said the region's plans are tentative and subject to what the province does.

Most of the administrative offices in the region, including in the cities and townships, have been closed since March 18.

The cities and townships are tentatively planning to open their administrative buildings on June 15, although recreational facilities are expected to remain closed until June 30, the region said in a release on Wednesday.

When the buildings do reopen, there may be changes to the way people access the offices, including both workers and the public, the region said. There may be more hand sanitizing stations, plexiglass barriers and more services offered online.

Recovery plans in the works

Jane Albright is the region's commissioner for human resources and citizen services. During a regional council committee meeting on Tuesday, she said plans are in place to have people return to work in a phased-in approach. 

"Staff will continue to work from home if they can do so effectively. Staff who must come into work to perform their roles and/or to return to a paid state will be given priority," she told councillors.

Staff who are immunocompromised will continue to work from home and those allowed into offices will be educated in making sure they keep a physical distance from others and proper hand washing.

Albright also said they will consider whether an employee wants to work at home or in the office.

"Some people really want to come back to work. They like the structure and presence of being in that office and that's why looking at preferences is important. But the priority is given to the level of service that can be provided," she said.

In the region's release, it said all local municipalities are working on recovery plans to serve residents, ensure the health and safety of employees and the public, return laid-off staff to their positions and "minimize negative year-end financial impacts."