Singapore to enter Phase 2 of reopening, WFH still default option

Singapore will enter into Phase Two of its reopening on June 19 which sees the resumption of “most activities”, although working from home remains the default option for employers.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong made the announcement of the transition on Monday, which allows retail businesses to reopen as well as dining-in in groups of up to five.

But employers have to continue allowing their workers to work from home as the default option even in Phase Two unless they have no other alternatives. This is to reduce the risk of a further COVID-19 outbreak both in the workplace and public transport.

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“We would still ask all employers to make work from home or telecommuting a default setting. So even if more businesses are allowed to reopen, employers should continue to ensure that employees who can work from home continue to work from home,” said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

“I think it’s in the interest of all businesses (to allow telecommuting). While we allow them to reopen in phase two, they should take the safe management practices very seriously and continue to have employees work from home to the maximum extent,” he added.

Singapore is entering its third week of Phase One of its reopening since exiting the ‘circuit breaker’ period on June 1.

And as more restrictions are lifted in Phase Two, Gan urged Singaporeans to continue being socially responsible to help prevent a further outbreak.

“On one hand, we want to allow economic and community activities to resume, while on the other hand, we must continue to keep infection under control. This is a very delicate balance we have to strike, and to succeed, we will need the collective effort of every Singaporean to be socially responsible,” he said.