Workers returning to the workplace will need to minimise socialising during Phases 1 and 2 of the economy's reopening, according to revised requirements announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

This is necessary to reduce the risk of community transmission of Covid-19, MOM said.

Employers must ensure that employees do not socialise at work

According to the updated requirements, all social gatherings in the workplace, such as birthday celebrations and team bonding activities must be cancelled or deferred.

Employers must ensure that employees do not socialise or congregate in groups at the workplace, including during meals or breaks.

They must not organise social gatherings outside the workplace, and also remind employees not to socialise during or outside working hours.

Checks will be conducted

While the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced that businesses will be allowed to resume activities in a phased approach, the default mode of working for all companies, including companies resuming operations in Phases 1 and 2, is working from home.

Employees who have been doing so thus far must continue to do so, and should go to the office only when there is no alternative.

According to MOM, checks will be conducted, and businesses who do not ensure employees work from home where possible, or whose workers do not adhere to safe management measures, may have to close their workplaces.

All employers must use SafeEntry system to record entry of workers

As part of the requirements, employers must use the SafeEntry management system to record the entry of all personnel to the workplace.

All personnel must also declare prior to entry that they are currently not under a Quarantine Order of Stay-Home Notice, have not had close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case in the past 14 days, and do not have fever or flu-like symptoms.

MOM said that SafeEntry has been enhanced to allow personnel to make these declarations during the SafeEntry check-in process, so employers no longer need to keep records of these declarations, which will streamline workplace entry.

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