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Public sector staff in BC can continue to use communication tools thanks to a provincial order now extended until the end of the year.
Communication order in BC extended
Published 11:18 PDT, Mon June 8, 2020
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A temporary provincial order regarding communication tools has been extended until Dec. 31.
Under the order, healthcare workers and other public sector staff can use communication tools not normally permitted for use during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
The original order, approved March 26, temporarily permits the use of vital software and technologies in the public sector.
The order has been used beneficially in several ways, including:
- Allowing patient care teams to use multiple communication tools, including things like smartphones, text messaging, chat programs and other applications during their response to the public-health emergency. This has made it easier to communicate between teams and follow up with patients using virtual platforms.
- People in self-isolation can communicate with public health officials using chat apps they are most comfortable with, rather than having to learn how to use something new.
- K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions can provide online and digital learning platforms, so students can continue their studies while gatherings of 50 people or more are prohibited.
British Columbia has the strictest privacy and data-residency laws in Canada. These privacy protections also mean these common communication and collaboration software tools, which are routinely allowed in other provinces and are useful in the fight against COVID-19, are not normally permitted for use by BC public-sector staff.
Renewing the ministerial order means healthcare bodies can continue to use software and technology that has proven useful in their life-saving efforts to protect British Columbians from the spread of COVID-19.
The temporary measure also enables schools and post-secondary institutions to provide increased online learning opportunities for students who may be displaced or unable to attend in-person classes.
For details on the ministerial order, click here.
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