We can't believe we're saying this, but just when we thought we're winning the battle against the pandemic, the cases started spiking again and it seems like we're losing control.

So much so that it has forced the government to carry out some pretty drastic measures.

Work from home orders

Employers, both in the public and private sectors, have been ordered to allow their staff who work in management and supervisory levels to work from home beginning 22 October.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob, during his daily press conference on Tuesday (20 October), said that the decision was made in light of several clusters in offices that has emerged in the past few days.


"To reduce the number of workers who has to work since factories are open as usual... in Selangor, in Federal Territories and in Sabah. Same goes to business premises.

"So, a lot of people complained that it was as if there were no control as they continue to work. So, today the meeting has decided that to break the COVID-19 chain in CMCO areas, we reduce the movement of workforce," he said.

He added that through this measure, it is possible to reduce the movement of one million people, which will help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you can't work from home, you have to go for swab test

Better safe than sorry
Ismail Sabri said that those who are not ordered to work from home will have to go for swab tests and the cost will be borne by Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) for those who contribute to it.

"This is to ensure that those who are working are negative COVID and those who test positive will surely be brought to the hospital for treatments," he said.

Ismail Sabri gave examples of jobs related to finances, enforcement, welfare and others as some of the ones that are exempted from the work from home rule and have to go for a swab test.

As usual, the full list of who will be exempted from the rule is not yet out but the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) is expected to release it soon.

Stay safe, you guys!