More employees in Singapore will be allowed to return to the workplace from 5 April as the country shifts from working-from-home as a default to a more flexible and hybrid way of working, according to updated guidance from the Ministry of Health and Tripartite Partners (Ministry of Manpower, Singapore National Employers Federation and National Trades Union Congress).

The guidance states that up to 75% of employees (who are presently able to work from home) can now be at the workplace at any one time, up from the current 50%. The current cap on the time an employee spends at the workplace will also be lifted. However, it cautioned that staggered start times and flexible working hours should continue to be implemented where possible to lower transmission risks.

While the new rules are meant for general workplace settings, specific workplaces like construction worksites and shipyards may have to fulfil additional requirements and should refer to sector-specific requirements.

The announcement comes as a result of local community cases remaining low in the past month, and the steady progress and expansion of the vaccination programme.

The new guidance also states that split team arrangements are no longer mandatory, although companies may continue to adopt such arrangements for business continuity purposes if they so choose. Meanwhile restrictions against cross-deployment across workplaces remain in place.

Moreover, social and recreational gatherings, such as team bonding events organised by the employer, will be allowed but must be limited to a total size of no more than eight people.

“Employers must continue to implement the prevailing safe management measures such as regular cleaning of common spaces, demarcating safe physical distancing and mask wearing at all times,” the guidance stated. “In organising work-related events, companies are reminded to adhere to the necessary safe distancing and capacity limits to keep employees and stakeholders safe.”

“If there is increased risk of Covid-19 resurgence, we will have to adjust our posture and more stringent measures at workplaces will have to be re-introduced,” the Ministries added.

The Guidance adds that enforcement actions will be taken against employers who fail to comply with the safe management measures, including the possibility of workplace closures.

More information on the updated guidance on workplace safety measures can be found here.