I would like to speak to you once again following the announcement by the President of the Republic that we will be released from confinement on Monday 11 May. I know that most of you are looking forward to this release.
However, given the health situation, we must be prepared to continue working in deteriorating conditions. The gradual return to face-to-face working will take time. Nor will it be uniform from one directorate, delegation, service or unit to another, or from one site to another. What's more, we have to prepare for it taking into account many uncertainties and even unknowns.
This face-to-face resumption must be carried out with the health of employees as an absolute priority. We will of course have to scrupulously respect the barrier procedures and follow the instructions still to come, concerning the wearing and type of masks, both on the way to and from work and in the workplace. We will also have to adapt to local transport constraints, as well as to the reopening of schools, services and businesses. All these parameters will determine, entity by entity, the gradual return to normal. Depending on the instructions given by the government, many of you will probably be teleworking, at least partially, for several weeks. If necessary, you may also be required to work in shifts.
For the research and service units, the institute managements will be working with their directors to determine, activity by activity, the broad outlines of the timetable and the terms and conditions for taking over or continuing on the unit's premises. This important work will be shared with the units' various supervisory bodies and will take into account the opening conditions set by the host institution.
I have decided not to require staff working remotely to take days off, as I consider that the commitment of each and every one of them during this difficult period is exemplary. Naturally, everyone will still be able to apply for days off under the usual conditions. For employees who do not work remotely, an order dated 16 April 2020 requires them to take 10 days of RTT or leave over the period that began on 16 March. This text applies to the entire civil service and I can only take note of it.
During this difficult period for each and every one of you, I know that you have been mobilised and that you have been keen to maintain links with your colleagues and your scientific communities. The CNRS has thus been able to pursue a large part of its activities and invest in initiatives linked to the Covid-19 health crisis, whether in research, solidarity or communication. You will find a non-exhaustive list of the initiatives to which we have contributed on the intranet. I think that each and every one of you can feel proud to belong to CNRS.
We still need to work together to ensure that the necessarily gradual return to normality is smooth and efficient, and takes account of all the complex situations.
I would like to thank you once again for all the work you have been asked to do, which you are doing, and will continue to do, with a concern for the community that is a credit to you.
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. Continue to take care of everyone.
Antoine Petit, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CNRS