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SINGAPORE: As community COVID-19 cases remain low in Singapore, authorities will allow more people to return to the workplace from September 28, subject to conditions.
Among employees who can work from home, no more than half must return to the workplace at any time, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said on Wednesday (September 23).
Additionally, employees must continue to work from home for at least half of their work time.
“Working from home remains the default work mode,” the Health Ministry said.
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As more people are expected to return to the workplace, authorities are encouraging employers to stagger reporting hours, as well as implement flexible work arrangements to avoid traveling during peak hours.
“In particular, we would like employers to make arrangements so that employees can work partly at home and partly at the workplace. So it doesn’t have to be (a) ‘one or one’ (arrangement) but it can be a combination of both, “said COVID-19 multi-ministerial task force co-chair Lawrence Wong during a press conference on Wednesday.
“For example, they can (work) in blocks from 10 am to 4 pm, or from 1 (pm) to 5 pm at the office, and then the rest of the time they can work from home. Therefore, this type of hybrid combinations should be adopted by employers, “he added.
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Companies must also continue to implement split team agreements.
“This update has been carefully considered to balance employers’ concerns regarding the impact of extended periods of work from home on productivity and work relationships, while creating safe workplaces for employees,” said the MOH.
Safe management measures related to specific areas of the workplace, such as staff canteens, will also be updated. But in general, employers must continue to ensure a clear physical space of at least one meter in areas such as meeting rooms and demarcate safe physical distances, the Health Ministry said.
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“Failure to comply with SMMs (safe management measures) can result in sanctions such as suspension of on-site operations, fines and withholding of payments for government support and grant schemes,” the Health Ministry said.
WORK-RELATED EVENTS IN THE WORKPLACE MAY RESUME
Work-related events within the office space that are business oriented will also be allowed to resume.
These include conferences, seminars, corporate retreats, annual general meetings, and extraordinary general meetings. Up to 50 people can attend these events and safe handling measures must be followed.
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The Health Ministry said it is considering allowing the resumption of work-related events in external locations at a later date.
Large-scale social gatherings, such as team-building activities and gala dinners, are not yet allowed, either inside or outside the workplace.
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