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These rules take effect on 25 May 2021, and will apply as part of further measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. More details by Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Chief Secretary of State Mohd Zuki here.
Last Friday (21 May 2021) Malaysia's Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced tighter rules under the ongoing movement control order (MCO 3.0), in further efforts to curb spread of the COVID-19 infection.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the PM noted that despite the existing efforts under the MCO, which took effect on 12 May, "contagion in the growing community and the existence of more aggressive new variants with high infectious rates have caused efforts to traverse the infection curve to take longer."
Following this announcement, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob detailed the tightened rules that will be in effect tomorrow, 25 May onwards.
These include compulsory work-from-home for 40% of private sector employees and 80% of government employees; a 50% passenger capacity on sea and land public transport; and more, shared below:
- Per the tightened measures, employers in the private sector must now implement work-from-home for 40% of the workforce, while only 60% will be allowed in office at any one time.
- Note: Per the data provided, the 40% (on compulsory WFH) will involve close to 6.1mn private sector employees, and close to 750,000 govt employees (for 80% on compulsory WFH).
- Note: Per the data provided, the 40% (on compulsory WFH) will involve close to 6.1mn private sector employees, and close to 750,000 govt employees (for 80% on compulsory WFH).
- During this period, the Senior Minister noted that it is the responsibility of employers to ensure the virus does not spread at the workplace, by mandating a review of employees/visitors' MySejahtera status before allowing them to enter the premises.
- The government also announced the following, in its latest set of SOPs:
It is mandatory to limit the number of visitors to premises such as supermarkets/shops;
There will be "aggressive "inspection of government and private premises, by enforcement agencies
Integrated inspection to increase effectiveness in enforcement. All enforcement agencies with compounding powers are required to perform SOP compliance monitoring in public places or places relevant to their duties.
Improving the operation of ops teams on holidays/weekends by non-security agencies not focused on working days only.
Further SOPs for all economic sectors will be announced by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry.
- As further detailed by Chief Secretary of State Tan Sri Mohd Zuki bin Ali, the following tightened rules will apply to businesses in the government sector:
Attendance at the office must be capped at 20% overall (excluding frontliners) and 80% on work-from-home;
Attendance at the office is allowed only in instances where the work cannot be performed remotely, and requires presence in the office.
Meetings and discussions will be conducted online through a secure medium and guaranteed confidentiality: and
Counter services are only open for services not offered online, and by appointment only.
He noted that the Head of Department shall implement this directive by planning the attendance of the required civil servants in the office and on work-from-home, adding that the implementation of work-from-home is based on Service Circular No. 5 of 2020 - Work From Home Policy, which clearly details the aspects that need to be complied with, including not being able to perform personal affairs during working hours.
Any breach of misconduct in compliance with this will be subject to disciplinary action under PU (A) 395 - Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
Chief Secretary of State Mohd Zuki also highlighted that the Public Service Department will issue complete guidelines on this soon. "The Government's service delivery system will continue to run as usual to ensure that services to the people can be provided quickly and accurately."
Lead image / Facebook page of the Prime Minister's Office [Pictured from L-R: Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob]
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