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Workforce S’pore apologise for misunderstanding over instruction to staff not to wear face masks to avoid sending ‘wrong signal’

They have since clarified the intention behind that guideline and apologised for the misunderstanding,

Ashley Tan | February 2, 01:44 pm

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As more cases of the Wuhan novel coronavirus manifest in Singapore, organisations are ramping up precautionary measures to protect both its employees and its customers.

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Don’t wear masks to avoid sending “wrong signal to public”

A Mothership reader recently informed us of an advisory Workforce Singapore had sent to its staff.

The reader was a part-time staff at a career fair to be organised by Workforce Singapore.

When enquired about precautionary measures for staff amid the current Wuhan virus crisis, Workforce Singapore sent a list of measures to be implemented at the career fair.

These measures included:

  • The printing of a standardised Personal Hygiene Practices poster by the Ministry of Health.
  • A visitor log where all jobseekers would have to provide their contact details.
  • Members of public who are unwell are advised to don face masks.
  • Regular cleaning or wipe-downs of interview rooms and self-help terminals.

One measure however, stood out:

“Use of Masks—staff in contact with members of the public are not to don masks, so as not to send the wrong signal to the public”.

This might have caused some confusion.

Workforce Singapore apologised

In response to Mothership‘s enquiry, Workforce Singapore clarified that they had expected the event organiser and participating employers to be well, and therefore masks were not necessary.

If any of the staff were unwell, they should have “excused themselves from the event” to provide “assurance” to job-seekers and other people involved.

Workforce Singapore admitted that their advisory should have been better and more precisely communicated to explain their rationale more clearly, and apologised for any misunderstanding.

They added that they have since clarified their position with their staff and stakeholders.

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates on the Wuhan virus: https://t.me/mothershipsg

Wear a mask if you feel unwell

Currently, there are 18 confirmed cases of Wuhan virus in Singapore, with the 15th case a Singaporean who had travelled to Wuhan.

Aside from washing one’s hands regularly, MOH has clarified that only individuals who are unwell (have a fever, cough or flu) need to wear a mask. This is to help reduce the spread of the virus.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also highlighted that there was no need to wear a mask if one is not ill.

Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam clarified that ICA officers can wear a mask if they feel the need, but emphasised that hand contact was a more important factor.

ICA officers can wear masks if they need to, but biggest risk comes from hand contact: Shanmugam

Top photo from Reuters 

About Ashley Tan

Ashley can't go a week without McDonalds.

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