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Vogue Singapore has apologised for their "lapse" in adhering to safe-distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic, The New Paper reports.

This comes after a series of Instagram Stories from the employees' personal accounts were posted to Facebook by a member of the public on June 3, 2020.

The Stories show at least nine staff members in the office, receiving various gadgets from Apple and touring the space.

According to The Straits Times, Vogue Singapore is set to launch in autumn 2020 under local publisher Indochine Media Ventures (IMV).

The fashion publication will consist of both digital and a monthly print.

Captions indicate that it was their "first day" back in the office.

The employees were masked.

In addition to uploading screenshots of the Instagram Stories, the Facebook user also wrote,

"I understand my peers will find it tough on their personal careers to call this out personally so I'll do it cos nobody can fire me. #VogueSG did not follow social distancing guidelines when they were so happy receiving Apple Store Singapore gifts of Macbooks, iPhones and iWatches."

An Instagram account with the handle @diet_bazaar re-shared one of the Stories, as well as a "submission" lambasting Vogue Singapore for being "tone-deaf".

The following screen shot was provided by a Mothership reader:

At time of writing, however, the account does not appear to be available.

"Lapse in judgement"

According to TNP, Norman Tan, editor-in-chief of Vogue Singapore apologised on Instagram the next day.

The 37-year-old was one of the employees who had posted the Instagram Stories.

Admitting the "lapse in judgment", Tan revealed that the employees were allowed to return on June 2.

He said that the team had observed precautions such as safe distancing, temperature checks, mask-wearing, and keeping a log of those who had entered the office.

"However, when I met the team yesterday, we were all excited to see each other and decided to gather for a photo. It was such a joy to see members of the team in person after months of seeing them only through a screen. I recognise that this was a lapse in judgment and I apologise for the concern this might have caused."

Tan added that all IMV publications will work from home for the rest of Phase 1 immediately, TNP reported.

Working from home as "default mode"

Previously on May 29, the Minister of Manpower (MOM) updated its advisory to indicate that companies should continue working from home in Phase 1 and 2.

For those who have to return to the office, companies must ensure safe management measures and minimise socialisation among employees.

Failure to do so may result in their workplaces closing.

On June 3, three workplaces were asked by MOM to cease operations for breaching safe safe management measures.

Another 14 employers were issued composition fines for the same reason.

Top image via Instagram