THE 40% work-from-home (WFH) order for the private sector under tighter MCO 3.0 restrictions applies to operations staff as well, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said.

The ministry tweeted a graphic earlier today to highlight the new rule announced yesterday, in which it also said that private companies could only have 60% of its workforce on site.

“Now WFH must be adopted by 40% of staff, applicable to both management and operations.

Maximum “60% attendance at the premises,” the infographic said.

Previously, the WFH order only applied to 30% of management staff.

The government yesterday tightened the standard operating procedure (SOP) for MCO 3.0 in the wake of a new spike in Covid-19 infections, coupled with intensive care units working at on average 90% capacity nationwide.

Infections continue to rise despite various government measures to restrict movement at district and state level, even since May 12 when MCO 3.0 was imposed nationwide.

However, this version of a lockdown has been criticised for its more relaxed SOP compared to the strict total lockdown of the first MCO, last year. 

Under the tighter SOP announced yesterday, 80% of the civil service is required to work from home, with arrangements made so that public counter services can still continue. 

Business hours, including those of supermarkets and restaurants, have been shortened to 12 hours from 8am to 8pm, while public transport capacity will be at most 50%. – May 23, 2021.