Mandatory Work From Home For Office Workers in CMCO Areas, Swab Test Required To Work From Office

By Charmaine Shaharin  •  20 Oct 2020 in News

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CMCO 2.0 just took a drastic turn as the government has announced today that employees from both private and public sectors, within the Klang Valley, Labuan and other areas are to work from home starting Oct 22.

In a press conference, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has decided to make this rule mandatory as more workers from red zone areas are still forced to show up at the office.

“I am not requesting, I am ordering employers to allow their staff to work from home,” he added.

He said that employees in the private and public sectors, at the management and supervisory levels, in areas under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) have been instructed to work from home starting Thursday.

However, people who are still required to go to the office will be offered some exemptions but would have to undergo a swab test.

According to SAYS, The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) will cover the cost of swab tests for both Malaysian and foreign workers. Therefore, it should be free for those involved.

A more detailed list of work-from-home jobs would be issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) soon said Ismail Sabri.

Meanwhile, he also assured that the government’s decision will break the chain of infection and reduce the movement of employees who are forced to come in for work, while factories and retail outlets remain open as usual.

Today, new confirmed cases of COVID-19 totalled 862 cases, making the fourth day in a row where new cases have gone above 800.

Although working from home is a frustrating idea for some, it is one of the best ways to curb the number of rising cases. Hopefully, things can go back to normal soon.