More CMCO Updates: WFH Now Mandatory, But There’s Exceptions

The full list will be revealed by MITI soon.

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It’s a brand new day and as usual, there are brand new SOP updates as the government now wants more employees to work from home and also to only allow Friday Prayers in green zones.

WFH is mandatory now

The government has ordered companies to allow employees to work from home (WFH) starting 22 October to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily press conference said today that the decision was made after a spike in cases involving employees.

We were notified that 9 clusters in Selangor originate from the workplace and there are cases of employees from the red zone who have to get out to go to work. MKN has decided that employees from the private and public sector on the management and supervisory levels are not required to go to the office and they can work from home.
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

He said the decision can help to break the chain of infection and 1 million workers will not be required to work in the offices, which includes manufacturing and industrial sectors.

This decision, he said will affect those in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan, Selangor and Sabah.

It is understood that 800,000 industrial sector workers from the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, Selangor and Sabah while 200,000 civil servants work in these areas.
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

He said there are other sectors where it’s not possible to work from home such as financial services, the government has decided that they will have to perform a swab test and Perkeso will bear the testing costs for its contributors.

This is to make sure that they are negative and reduce the number of cases involving employees who still have to work.
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Ismail Sabri said the details and SOP will be revealed by MITI soon.

The Senior Minister also explained that employees are required to work from home throughout the CMCO period.

For example, Selangor’s and Kuala Lumpur’s CMCO period will end on 27 October which means there are 5 days from 22 October, if it ends on the 27 October, then the WFH period will end, if it extends, so does the WFH requirement.
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Friday prayers only in green zones

Jais today has also come up with a new SOP in Selangor after a spike in Covid-19 cases to only allow mosques in green zones to hold prayers or weddings.

Previously, Friday prayers in mosques and surau are allowed with a maximum of 50 people with the maximum number of people in a congregation for daily prayers have also been increased to 20 people.

Maximum numbers of people allowed in mosques for prayers are subject to the size of the prayer halls with one-metre physical distancing.

CMCO rules that are still in place

Only 2 members per household are allowed to go out for food supplies and other necessities.
High-risk individuals and children are not encouraged to go out, especially to open and crowded areas.
Interdistrict travel involving areas under CMCO is not allowed (with exceptions for those with medical emergencies or for funeral management). Applications need to be submitted to PDRM for approval.
Employees are allowed to cross districts provided they have a valid employee pass or letter from their employer.
Work from home is mandatory, with exception of certain sectors such as manufacturing & industrial services.
For those who need to cross Selangor or Kuala Lumpur to get to other states, they are advised to get permission from the nearest police station prior to making their trip.
Individuals travelling by air through KLIA, KLIA2, and Subang Airport will also need to get police permission.

Economic Activities Within Areas Under CMCO

All business, economic, and industrial activities are allowed to operate.
All food and beverage businesses, including grocery stores and convenience stores, are allowed to operate between 6am to 10pm.
Purchases of food are encouraged to be done via drive-thru, delivery, or take away.
Dining-in is allowed with a maximum of four people per table and compliant with food sector SOPs.
Daily markets are allowed to operate from 6am to 2pm only.
Wholesale markets are allowed to operate from 4am to 2pm only.
Farmers markets are allowed to operate from 6am to 12pm only.
Night markets are allowed to operate between 4pm to 10pm only.
Farmers market and night markets must strictly adhere to SOPs and will be monitored by RELA personnel.
Petrol stations are allowed to operate from 6am to 10pm (this excludes petrol stations on highways, who are allowed to operate 24 hours.)
All public transport services are allowed to operate.
Taxi and e-hailing services can have a maximum of two passengers.
Food delivery services are allowed to operate from 6am to 12am.

Medical and Health

Clinics, government and private hospitals are allowed to operate 24 hours.
Pharmacies and shops selling medication can operate from 8am to 11pm.
Gym are allowed to open
Outdoor parks are allowed to open (only in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya)

Economy and Industrial Sectors

All vehicles involving industrial, business, and manufacturing are allowed to operate as usual.

Fisheries, Plantation, and Agriculture

Fisheries, plantations, agriculture, livestock, and other activities related to the food chain are allowed to operate.

Ports and Airports

Activities and services at all airports and ports are allowed to operate.

Tourism

All tourism activities involving entering or leaving the CMCO area are not allowed.

Religious Activities

Friday prayers and marriage solemnisation ceremonies only in green zones (for Selangor only)
Friday prayers in mosques and surau are allowed, with a maximum of 50 people. The maximum number of people in a congregation for daily prayers have also been increased to 20 people.
Maximum numbers of people allowed in mosques for prayers are subject to the size of the prayer halls with one-metre physical distancing.
In all non-Muslim places of worship, only six members of staff are allowed.

Entertainment and Cultural Activities

Entertainment and cultural activities are not allowed. Entertainment activities at places such as nightclubs or pubs, theme parks, indoor playgrounds and cinemas are not allowed.

Education, Workshops, and Meetings.

All institutions of learning are closed during this period.
Students taking examinations with foreign educational institutions are allowed to attend exams only.
Workshops, seminars, conferences and other similar activities related to meetings, conventions and exhibitions are not allowed.
In-service training that is already in progress can continue as long as it remains within the training area only.
Meetings should be held via video conferencing, and face-to-face meetings are not recommended.