The work from home policy for the public sector and industries in areas under the CMCO will be lifted from Thursday onwards.
The Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kelantan, Penang and Sarawak has been extended for another two weeks, while interstate travel restriction will remain in force.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the extension of the CMCO in Sarawak would take effect from today until April 12, while in five other states starting from Thursday (April 1) until April 14.
“The Recovery MCO in Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Putrajaya, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Sabah and Labuan is also extended, effective from the same date (April 1).
“The ban on interstate travel also stays, only interdistrict travel is allowed except in Sabah and Sarawak which is still restricted as per request from the respective state governments,” he said in a news conference on the MCO development here, today.
He added that the decision was made after a National Security Council’s special session to listen to a presentation by the Health Ministry (MOH) on the situation and risk assessment for the 14-day implementation of the CMCO and RMCO in states nationwide.
He also said the work from home (WFH) policy for the public sector and industries in areas under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) will be lifted from Thursday onwards.
Ismail said this would allow businesses, especially factories, to operate at full capacity.
The workforce for offices in areas under the CMCO – Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan – is currently set at 30% for office and management staff.
There were no restrictions for workers in areas under the recovery movement control order (RMCO), with heads of departments allowed to implement the WFH directive based on their own discretion.
“The (National Security Council) special meeting yesterday agreed with Miti’s suggestion to cancel the 30% WFH rule for managers and supervisors (in CMCO areas) as factory workers cannot operate remotely,” Ismail said.
“Factory workers are often engaged in complex and technical work, with different staff having to work together simultaneously.
“This (lifting of the WFH rule) will also allow companies to operate at a maximum level, which is something decided by Miti and agreed upon by yesterday’s special meeting.”
He added that working hours for civil servants will be announced by the Public Service Department as and when required.
Workplace clusters have been one of the largest sources of infections in the country, with five of the nine new clusters detected over the past 24 hours also linked to such premises.