MOH Asks Employers To Stagger Work Hours To Avoid Crowded MRT, Suggests Some Start After 9.30am

By
Luna Tee
-
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On Sept 9 (Wed), Ministry of Health (MOH) published a new set of guidelines on strengthening safety measures for the safe reopening of activities.

Protecting Workers is in the Interest of the Employers

The part that would be of particular interest to employers concerns Safe Management Measures (SMMs) for workplaces.

In response to those who sought advice on business resumption, MOH stated that “it is in the interest of the employers to protect your workers against the risk of COVID-19”.

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If a cluster forms at a workplace, it would severely impact business operations.

As a result, the guideline focuses on enabling employees to return to workplaces safely.

Staggering Work Hours

MOH suggests implementing flexible working hours to segregate the workforce.

This could help minimize contact between individuals, thereby mitigating the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Apart from that, it allows most employees to travel at off-peak hours, ideally after 9.30am. Being packed like sardines doesn’t exactly afford adherence to social distancing rules.

Of course, if businesses simply shift operating hours to 9.30am onwards, it would just create a new peak hour and defeat the purpose.

To effectively thin the crowd in both public places and office buildings, it’s important to stagger work hours.

Additionally, it requires the collective effort and cooperation of all employers.

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Stepping Up TT Programme and SafeEntry

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) – who is responsible for the new guidelines – is planning to enhance the TraceTogether (TT) programme and SafeEntry.

The government aims to supplement SafeEntry with the proximity data from TT for more comprehensive contact tracing.

“TT-only SafeEntry”, or SafeEntry done through TT, will soon be required at selected venues.

If you haven’t already, download the TT App on your mobile phones.

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Alternatively, the government will be handing out TT Tokens to Singaporeans from Sept 14 through November. It is an attempt to promote adoption among less tech-savvy residents, such as the elderly.

Check out collection points and timing on the TokenGoWhere website.

We Shall Do It Properly

I know we all groaned – at least a little bit – reading about these extra precautions. I can’t cock with all my colleagues at once? And I have to download another app?

But they grant the gahmen more credits to their tracing capability, in turn, lending confidence to our control over the Covid-19 situation.

These are what makes queuing for bubble tea and this new lobster roll outlet possible again.

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So, just suck it up and do properly la, ok? 🙂

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Luna Tee
Email: [email protected]