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Update: Please refer to the latest 20 Sep announcement, on the new measures that take effect on 22 Sep 2021.
As the first step, employers must immediately implement a snap 14-day work-from-home regime for all staff - and this should be done within one day of receiving the COVID-19 result.
Should a positive COVID-19 case be confirmed at the workplace, starting 8 September 2021 (Wednesday), employers must implement a snap 14-day work-from-home regime no later than one day after the results.
This must be done for all employees who are able to work from home, the Ministry of Manpower's updated requirements for safe management measures state.
This latest measure comes as part of stricter measures Singapore has set in place, given the recent rise in COVID-19 workplace clusters.
Here's everything to note about the updated safe management requirements at workplaces:
In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case
Upon being notified of a confirmed case, employers must adopt the following precautionary measures:
- If an employee tests positive for COVID-19 and was at the workplace on any of the past seven days, the employer must implement a snap 14-day work-from-home regime for all employees who are able to do so, from the date of positive test result.
- Employees must inform their employer if they test positive via a COVID-19 PCR test.
- Employers should implement the snap 14-day work-from-home regime as soon as possible, and no later than one day after the positive test result.
- Employees are encouraged to self-swab every two to three days during the 14-day period.
- Immediately vacate and cordon-off the immediate section of the workplace premises where the confirmed case worked. There is no need to vacate the building or the whole floor if there had been no sustained and close contact with the confirmed case.
- Carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfecting all relevant on-site areas and assets that were exposed to confirmed cases, in accordance to NEA guidelines.
For worksites with confirmed cases, businesses could be suspended if there are public health grounds.
In the event of an unwell case
In such instances, an evacuation plan must be prepared for unwell or suspected cases, as well as for other onsite personnel. Any employee who is feeling unwell or showing symptoms of illness should report to his employer, leave the workplace and consult a doctor immediately, even if symptoms may appear mild.
Employers must track and record these cases as part of safe management measures.
For incapacitated or unconscious individuals, employers must clear the area of other personnel and administer aid immediately, and call 995 for an emergency ambulance to ferry them to the nearest hospital.
Refer here for the tightened COVID-19 workplace measures, and here for the full set of workplace safe management measures.
Photo / 123RF
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