Measures or Guidelines in Place to Protect Workers Vulnerable to COVID-19 Upon Returning to Regular Office-based Work

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health what measures or guidelines are in place to protect COVID-19-vulnerable workers when there is a broader move to return to regular office-based work.

Even whilst the local COVID-19 situation improves, the safe resumption of social and economic activities, including office-based work, continues to be premised on close adherence to the safe management measures in place, among other public health interventions.

Safe management measures like the wearing of masks, practising good personal hygiene, and observing safe distancing help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within workplaces, as well as the community at large. Individuals who are unwell should also avoid going to work and seek medical attention promptly. These guidelines have been incorporated into the Ministry of Manpower’s requirements on ensuring safe workplaces.

In addition, the Ministry of Manpower's workplace requirements has also highlighted that companies should pay special attention to employees who are more vulnerable to poorer clinical outcomes in the event of a COVID-19 infection (i.e. persons aged 60 and above, and patients who are immunocompromised or have concurrent medical conditions). Where feasible, companies should enable vulnerable employees to work from home, or temporarily redeploy them to another role within the company which would allow them to work from home.