WORK from home arrangements are now mandatory for public and private sector employees in management and supervisory roles in areas under the conditional movement-control order (CMCO), beginning October 22, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

The National Security Council decided this today in a move that will affect one million workers. The CMCO is currently enforced in Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

The decision to keep employees from going out was made in view of the fact that Covid-19 cases are still increasing in the CMCO areas, particularly in Sabah and Selangor.

The International Trade and Industries Ministry will be providing information on the types of jobs where work from home arrangements are applicable, Ismail Sabri added.

“We estimate that this decision will remove 800,000 workers in the manufacturing sector, and 200,000 civil servants from the workplace. This is crucial in further reducing the number of Covid-19 cases,” he said.

For employees who have to go to the office or workplace, swab tests are compulsory.

Employers who are Socso contributors can claim from the fund to cover testing costs.

“It is necessary for some departments to continue working in offices such as those managing finance. So, they must do a swab test.

“This is to ensure that those who return to the workplace is Covid-19 negative. Those found positive will be brought to the hospital for treatment,” Ismail Sabri said.

He said the same applies to foreigners working as security guards and in construction.

Employers must also produce exemption letters for those who still have to travel to the office or workplace, he added.

The work from home order, which takes effect in two days’ time, will remain until the end of CMCO. Ismail Sabri did not specify when the CMCO will end.

“For example in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, the order will be effective from October 22 to 27. 

“However, if CMCO is extended, then the order will also be extended in accordance with the CMCO,” he said.

The country’s total number of Covid-19 cases doubled to more than 21,000 in the first 19 days of October, with 865 just yesterday – the third day infections breached the 800 mark. – October 20, 2020.