The snap 14-day work-from-home regime, explained

From Sept 8, firms must put in place a snap 14-day work-from-home (WFH) regime - for all employees who are able to do so - if one of their employees tests positive for Covid-19 and was in the workplace on any of the past seven days.

But how exactly does this requirement apply, especially for firms with larger premises? While the updated advisory issued on Sept 7 did not specify further, the Manpower Ministry has provided clarification on its Frequently Asked Questions page. Here is an edited summary of some of their responses.

Does the snap 14-day WFH regime mean that workplaces must shut? No. Employees may return to the workplace if their work cannot be done from home - for example, if they need access to specialised machinery that is only available at the workplace. But all employees who can work from home must do so.

Does the snap 14-day WFH regime apply to all employees working in the same building as the positive case? No. The requirement applies to all the employees who work on the same floor as the infected employee and are able to work from home. If the infected employee also performed work on other floors, the WFH regime must be extended to those floors too. But employers "are strongly encouraged to make provisions for more employees to WFH to reduce the possibility of further transmission".

What if the firm has multiple workplaces? The snap 14-day WFH regime must be implemented at all the workplaces at which the confirmed case had worked on any of the seven days before testing positive.

What if a contractor, not an employee, tests positive for Covid-19? If any employee or regular contractor tests positive and was at the workplace on any of the seven days prior, then the snap 14-day WFH regime must be put in place.

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When does the 14-day period start? Employers should implement the regime as soon as possible, and no later than one day after the positive test result. The 14-day period starts the day after the positive test result.