Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) on Friday said that post June 1, when the circuit breaker ends, all companies – including those resuming operations in the first two phases of the economy’s reopening – should adopt working from home as a default option.
“This means that employees who have been working from home must continue to do so, and should go to the office only where there is no alternative,” the Ministry said.
It further warned that routine checks will be conducted to ensure that this is being done, and “businesses that do not ensure that employees work from home where possible, or whose workers do not adhere to safe management measures, may have to close their workplaces”.
To reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the community, employees who must work from office and those visiting workplaces should minimize socializing in the first two phases of the economy’s re-opening.
MOM, in its press release, also gave more updates on safe management measures that companies should take.
All social gatherings, such as birthday celebrations and team-bonding activities at the workplace, must be cancelled or deferred.
“Employers must ensure employees do not socialize or congregate in groups at the workplace, including during meals or breaks. Employers should not organize social gatherings outside the workplace, and also remind employees not to socialize both during and outside working hours,” added MOM.
To streamline processes, the SafeEntry digital check-in system has been enhanced to allow workers to make health declarations when they enter their workplaces, including stating that they do not have fever or flu-like symptoms and that they are not under a quarantine order or stay-home notice.
Previously, employers had to record these declarations separately, and keep them for 28 days. Now, they no longer have to keep these records as long as the declarations are made upon check-in via SafeEntry.
Some businesses had also given feedback that the temperature screening processes that were initially outlined by the authorities could be duplicative. For instance, they could be tenants of a unit in an office building where screening is already conducted, and it may not make sense for temperature screening to be conducted again before an employee enters the unit.
In response to this, MOM said on Friday that regular checks for temperature and respiratory symptoms that need to be conducted twice daily can now be conducted by the employer or another party, such as the employer’s landlord.
During inspections, employers can demonstrate that the checks are in place by providing records of temperature checks. Alternatively, they can now demonstrate this by showing the facilities installed for temperature screening, such as a thermal scanner or temperature screening station.