Ever since Singapore entered DORSCON Orange in early February 2020, work-from-home became the default work arrangement for many businesses. Fast-forward more than one year on, this is set to change – the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has updated its requirements for safe management measures at the workplace advisory.
Effectively, work-from-home will no longer be the default work arrangement from 5 April 2021. Here are 10 things businesses need to know about the shift away from the current default work-from-home arrangement.
#1 More Employees Who Can Work From Home Will Be Allowed Back To Their Workplace
75% employees who can work from home will be allowed to be at their workplace at any one point from 5 April 2021. This is an increase from the current cap of 50%.
#2 Pay Special Attention To Older And Vulnerable Employees
Businesses should pay special attention to the older and other vulnerable employees. MOM encourages employers to take appropriate measures to reduce their infection risk, including allowing work-from-home, enabling off-peak travelling schedule, temporary redeployment to other roles.
#3 No Caps On The Time Employees Can Spend In Their Workplace
Before this, businesses had to ensure that employees who can work from home must do so for at least half their working time. This limit on the amount of time employees must work from home will also be lifted from 5 April 2021.
While the cap has been lifted, MOM encourages flexible workplace hours to limit the time spent in the workplace for employees as far as possible.
Read Also: Any Real Reasons For Businesses Not To Hire/Expand In 2021?
#4 Split Team Arrangements No Longer Mandatory
Currently, businesses have to ensure that employees reduce physical interactions and ensure safe distancing by working in split teams. From 5 April 2021, this is no longer necessary.
#5 Staggered Start Time Encouraged
Employers should still allow for staggered start times for employees, allowing at least half to arrive after 10 a.m. – after peak travelling hours – as far as possible. Lunch breaks and other breaks should also be similarly staggered.
#6 Cross-Deployment Restrictions Across Workplaces Will Remain In Place
While split team arrangements will be lifted from 5 April 2021, this is primarily for employees who have to work at the same workplace. Restrictions against cross-deployment across workplaces will remain in place.
If employees have to work at more than one worksite, additional safeguards should be taken to limit the interaction of personnel from different worksites.
#7 Social And Recreational Gatherings Now Allowed
From 5 April 2021, social and recreational gathering, for events such as team bonding, will be allowed. Nevertheless, team sizes must be limited to no more than 8 persons.
Work-related events of up to 50 pax will also be allowed. However, MOM encourages businesses to refrain from making meals the main feature of any social activities or holding events over mealtimes. This is to minimise interactions without masks.
Read Also: How Much Government Salary Support Can Companies Receive When Hiring A Full-Time Employee In 2021?
#8 Employees Must Continue To Wear Mask, And Adhere To Other Safe Management Measures At The Workplace
As more employees return to the workplace, businesses have to be extra vigilant to step-up cleaning of common spaces, provide cleaning and disinfecting agents, demarcating safe physical distancing of at least 1 metre, wearing masks at all times remain in place.
#9 Certain Events To Be Scaled Up Further – Boosting Businesses Within Those Fields
Since October 2020, certain types of events were piloted with pre-testing successfully. As such, the following types of events will be allowed to scale up further if they implement pre-testing:
- Marriage solemnisations: Number of attendees will be increased from 100 people to 250 people, in zones of 50 pax. This includes the wedding couple but not vendors or the Licensed Solemniser. For events involving more than 100 attendees, pre-event testing will be required for the wedding couple. For event involving less than 100 attendees, no pre-event testing is required.
- Wedding receptions: Number of attendees will be increased from 100 people to 250 people, in zones of 50 pax. This includes the wedding couple but not vendors or the Licensed Solemniser. For events involving more than 100 attendees, pre-event testing is required for all attendees.
- Live performances: Live performances at designated venues to be allowed up to 750 attendees, or 250 attendees if they do not implement pre-testing. More guidelines will be released by the National Arts Council.
- Pilot B2B events: B2B events being piloted by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) may have up to 250 attendees, in zones of 50 pax. If pre-event testing is implemented, such events may have up to 750 attendees, in zones of 50 pax. STB will release updated details on the Safe Business Events framework and application details soon.
- Pilot spectator sports events (seated): Sports events approved by SportsSG are currently being piloted. Up to 250 attendees will be allowed without pre-event testing, and 750 attendees with pre-event testing. SportsSG will release further details soon.
From 24 April 2021, individuals who have completed their vaccinations for more than 2 weeks may attend such events even without pre-testing. More information will be available on MOH’s Pre-Event Testing (PET) page.
Also from 24 April 2021, more people (from 30 pax to 50 pax) will be allowed to bid their final farewell to loved ones on the day of the burial/cremation only. The cap on other days remains at 30. Pre-event testing is not required.
#10 Employers Encouraged To Continue Prudent Safe Management Measures
Employers are encouraged to continue with work-from-home arrangements if they are working well. Similarly, adopting split team arrangements is no longer required, but can be continued for business continuity purposes.
Businesses should conduct meetings virtually as far as possible, and should also limit workplace access to authorised visitors and use SafeEntry to record all entry of personnel.
As Singapore continues to ease safe management measures, every individual has to play their part in ensuring they stay safe and maintain hygiene standards.
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