PUTRAJAYA has ordered a reduction to the number of employees at workplaces and shorter business operating hours in its bid to stem the drastic increase in Covid-19 infections, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Starting Tuesday (May 25), 80% of civil servants must work from home, while the same applies to 40% for the private sector, the senior minister said.

“80% of government workers will work from home, while the private sector must have 40% of its employees work from home,” said Ismail Sabri in a televised press conference with Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The National Security Council spokesman said these work-from-home restrictions will affect 750,000 government workers and 6.1 million workers in the private sector.

Public transport capacity will also be reduced, as another measure to encourage staying at home.

Public transportation loads, such as those on the LRT, will be reduced to 50% with shorter operational times.

“We will tighten the SOP and reduce movement by increasing roadblocks and limiting public transportation operations from May 25.”

Ismail Sabri said details on tighter work-from-home rules will be announced to the civil service by the Chief Secretary to the Government, and by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to the private sector.

On shorter business hours, he said this would now be from 8am to 8pm, and would apply to food businesses and supermarkets as well.

“The operating hours for most businesses will be limited to between 8am and 8pm from the previous SOP.

“Restaurants, hawkers, food kiosks, food deliveries, convenience shops and markets will also be limited to operating between 8am and 8pm each day,” said Ismail.

However, the 8am closing time does not apply to pharmacies, which are allowed to open until 10pm, he added.

He said that these new restrictions are in addition to the existing SOP that were introduced on May 12, when the whole country was placed under MCO 3.0.

Meanwhile, the government will continue using the HIDE system to identify high risk places such as malls, offices and factories.

“Once identified, we will decide on whether to close them immediately to prevent any further spread,” said Ismail Sabri.

He said the government will also step up enforcement on businesses for SOP compliance.

“Premises are advised to ensure everybody signs in on the MySejahtera app before entering their premises and limit the number of visitors into the shops.

“The enforcement agents will conduct more checks to ensure these SOP are followed,” said Ismail Sabri. – May 22, 2021.