Only industries, civil service affected by work-from-home order, others not involved: Ismail

 

COVID-19 | Only industries that come under the purview of the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and civil servants under the Public Service Department are affected by the government’s work-from-home order for areas under the conditional movement control order (MCO).

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this during his daily press conference today, just six hours before the order comes into effect.

“I wish to explain that other sectors are not involved with this work-from-home order, apart from the industrial sector and civil service I’ve just mentioned.

“Many other sectors categorised as informal sectors, such as retail, food, plantations, agriculture, hawkers, restaurants, food stalls, food courts, sundry shops, convenience shops and so on are allowed to continue working as usual according to the standard operating procedures.

“So, these other shops can operate as usual,” he said.

Ismail added that transportation services will operate as usual too, including public and express buses, e-hailing services, taxis, LRT, and food delivery services.

Yesterday, the senior minister said public and private workers in management and supervisory positions in areas under conditional MCO to work from home starting on Thursday.

This will affect those in Sabah, Labuan, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor, and will remain in effect until the end of the conditional MCO for the respective areas.

Ismail said the move will keep Covid-19 cases in check by reducing the number of people working in offices and factories.

This will reduce one million workers - 800,000 in industrial sectors and 200,000 in public sectors - from going out to work, he added.

At the time, he said exceptions will be made for those involved in finance, making payments, enforcement, and welfare, and a detailed list of affected sectors will be issued by Miti.

Earlier today, Miti Minister Azmin Ali (photo) said a maximum of 10 percent of management and supervisory employees will be allowed to work in the office. 

This is for those whose duties include accounting, finance, administration, legal, planning, and IT.

However, they are only allowed to be in the office for four hours, from 10am to 2pm, three days a week.

Azmin said companies need not apply for exemptions but must issue letters for those allowed to work in the office during the conditional MCO period. - Mkini