Mopping the floor while tap is still running

ON Labour Day, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the vast majority of businesses throughout Malaysia could reopenfrom May 4. Many organisations and business owners have since welcomed the announcement with mixed feelings.On one hand, the news brought sighs of relief and new hope that all the losses incurred during the long movement control order (MCO) period may slowly and painfully be recovered. On the other hand, there was fear and uncertainty over, among others, the steps to prepare for reopening the physical workplaces.

Large organisations, particularly multinational companies, should be well prepared for “safe return to work” with their own standard operating procedures (SOP) developed weeks in advance. They may even have different versions of SOP for different pandemic scenarios.