Public sector 'work from home' policy extended to all states

 

The work-from-home policy for the public sector has been extended to all states following the closure of schools nationwide.

Senior Minister (Security) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the closure of all schools in the country had left parents with young children in a dilemma as daycare centres and nurseries are also closed.

"After hearing a presentation from the Public Services Department, we agreed to give permission to work from home for those in the public sector and the industrial sector in states under the recovery movement control order (MCO), such as Pahang, Kelantan and Perlis, as is currently applicable to those under the conditional MCO.

Ismail said it would be left to the heads of departments to determine the workforce required to be present in the office, while the International Trade and Industry Ministry would announce the policy for the industry sector in the near future.

"As per the circular that has been distributed before, for the public sector, the total attendance is a maximum of 30 percent, to be determined by the respective department heads. The PSD will also issue a circular related to this to all states involved.

"However, work from home instructions do not apply to informal sectors such as retail outlets, restaurants, plantations, agriculture, fisheries and others," he said.

Ismail also said that regular conditional MCO SOPs (of two people to a car) still applies when it comes to vehicular travel on Deepavali day.

He was asked if four family members could ride in the same vehicle on that day if the situation did not pose an additional health risk, since they are from the same family and on the same journey.

"Vehicles still retain the existing SOP," Ismail said.

He also noted that the enhanced MCO in Taman Mesra in Sandakan, Sabah, would be extended from Nov 11-24 while the order in Taman Mawar ends today. - Mkini