A new circular has been issued regarding the leave approval of government officials who have left the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and failed to return due to the pandemic situation. The circular, issued by the Secretary of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, outlines the procedures for handling the leave of officials who were unable to report back to work on due dates as a result of the pandemic.It has instructed the Secretaries to the Ministries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Department Heads on arrangements to be followed in approving unpaid and paid leave for government officials who failed to report back on or before the scheduled date due to COVID-19, according to the Establishment Code.Furthermore, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the issuance of resignation notices for all government officials who have not reported to work without formal leave approval.