Safe management measures at workplaces have been reviewed to provide greater flexibility for businesses and employees, while limiting the risks of COVID-19 transmission. The following updated requirements will take effect from 5 Apr 2021.

1. More employees may return to the workplace

• Employers are encouraged to continue work-from-home arrangements, but more employees will be allowed to return to the workplace to better support work and business operations.
• Up to 75% of the employees can be at the workplace at any time, up from the current 50% limit.
• Current cap on the time an employee spends at the workplace will be lifted.
• Employers should continue to stagger start times and implement flexible working hours where possible.
• Not mandatory to maintain split team arrangement, but companies may continue to adopt such arrangements for business continuity purposes. 
• Restrictions against cross-deployment across workplaces remain in place.

2. Limit size of social gatherings

• Social/recreational gatherings (e.g. team bonding events organised by the employer) must be limited to a total size of no more than 8 persons.

3. Remaining vigilant to keep workplaces safe

• Employers must continue to implement the prevailing safe management measures such as regular cleaning of common spaces, demarcating safe physical distancing and mask wearing at all times.
• In organising work-related events, companies are reminded to adhere to the necessary safe distancing and capacity limits to keep employees and stakeholders safe.
  • Due to the higher risk of transmission when people are unmasked, companies should avoid holding events over mealtimes as far as possible.
• If there is increased risk of COVID-19 resurgence, more stringent measures at workplaces will have to be re-introduced.

Enforcement actions will be taken against employers who fail to comply with the safe management measures, and that will include the possibility of workplace closures.

For more information, click here for MOH’s press release.