No CNY gatherings for firms as current measures against Covid-19 remain in place

Singapore

CHINESE New Year (CNY) company gatherings will not be allowed this year as workplace safe management measures (SMMs) remain unchanged for the time being.

In a joint media release on Friday, the Ministry of Manpower, National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation said that they decided to postpone any further adjustments to workplace SMMs after considering the higher risk from new transmissible virus strains and recent trends in community and workplace Covid-19 cases.

Under the current measures, working from home is the default arrangement to minimise transmission risks in the workplace.

Only work-related events are allowed, meaning that gatherings and social activities are prohibited.

Employers are still required to allow employees to report to work during off-peak periods if they must return to the workplace, and stagger start times so that at least half of the workforce begins work at the workplace at or after 10am.

The tripartite partners urged employers to implement staggered work hours more extensively since, despite the SMMs, peak hour travel on public transport increased by 11 per cent in January 2021 compared to November 2020.

"While we understand the desire for more physical workplace interactions, we urge employers and employees to stay vigilant in the fight against Covid-19," they said. "The prevailing SMM requirements are vital to continue safe reopening for the economy."

On Dec 15, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo had said the multi-ministry task force was discussing the possibility of relaxing restrictions on workers returning to the office. She made the comments a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced details of Phase 3 of Singapore's reopening.

Mr Lee had shared in a televised address that social gatherings of up to eight people would be permitted, from five in the previous phase. Operating capacity at local attractions could be raised to 65 per cent from 50 per cent previously, and malls and large standalone stores would be allowed to accommodate more patrons by allocating 8 square metres (sq m) per person instead of 10 sq m.

READ MORE: Singapore tightens rules on household visits ahead of Chinese New Year