Correct. Technically many people haven’t been “employed” by the show for months now. It’s not a 9-5 full time job. Many of the set designers are hired on a contact basis by either by job (design sets x,y,z) or for the filming period.
The writers are JUST getting together now for outlines. Shortly after they will hire set designers, builders to prep sets for early season 3. After that they trickle in production staff and finally actors and film crew.
It’s much like school when you got summer break off