Health Minister Issues New Normal Work Regulations

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has decided to maintain the work from home (WFH) policy as part of its new normal regulations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regulations are introduced through the Health Minister’s Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/328/2020 on the Guidelines of COVID-19 Prevention and Control at Offices and Industries in Supporting the Sustainability of Businesses during Pandemic.

Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said the regulations were made amid the pandemic as part of the government’s efforts to safeguard the country’s economy by promoting preventive measures.

Terawan said the business world and the working community played a significant role in cutting the chain of COVID-19 transmission given the high population and mobility of the workforce and the interaction of people in work activities.

“Work spaces as places where people interact and gather pose a significant risk that we need to anticipate,” Terawan said as quoted from the Cabinet Secretariat website on Monday, May 25, 2020.

“Mitigation efforts and office preparations must be carried out optimally so people can adapt to the lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 situation or the new normal,” he said.

The guidelines of COVID-19 transmission prevention related to managerial policies stipulated that, first, managements must monitor and update any information related to the COVID-19 in their areas, which is accessible at https://infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id and referring to regional governments’ policies.

Second, the formation of a COVID-19 handling team at offices, which comprises the management, the personnel division, the K3 (occupational health and safety) division and health personnel, which is supported by an office management's decree.

Third, managements or employers should issue a policy or procedures to facilitate workers in reporting any alleged COVID-19 case (fever, cough, cold, sore throat, shortness of breath) for due monitoring by health workers. Fourth, refraining from treating a positive case as a stigma. Five, proper management of the WFH policy—selecting those who should essentially work at the office and who can work from home.

BISNIS