Malaysian companies must allow staff to self-quarantine
- Charles Chau
Malaysia’s health minister, Datuk Dr Adham Baba, said companies which fail to comply will have their premises shut down immediately.
He said the rule falls under the conditions of the General Standard Operation Procedures and the General Guidelines on the Approval of Operations Movement of Company Employees during the latest movement control order (MCO 3.0) issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
He added that the rule also applies to employees who voluntarily quarantine themselves even after being tested negative for COVID-19. Meanwhile, prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a nationwide compulsory work-from-home (WFH) policy as part of MCO 3.0.
“Employers must enforce the work from home policy with an attendance of not more than 30% of managerial staff at any one time. WFH for the public sector will be decided by guidelines issued by the Chief Secretary to the government from time to time,” Muhyiddin said, according to Malay Mail.
Malaysia’s MCO 3.0, lasting from May 12 to Jun 7, will close all educational institutions and ban almost all social visitations, indoor sports and recreational activities, and inter-district and interstate travel, with some exceptions.
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However, all economic sectors will be allowed to operate, said the prime minister, subject to the rule that only up to 30% of staff can be present at work premises at all times.
The tightening measures come amid a high number of new COVID-19 cases. As at May 10, the country saw 3,807 new cases, up from 3,733 the day before, driving the number of active cases to 37,396, according to The Edge Markets.
