The health ministry has decided to subsidize some of the costs of introducing the "telework" system for small and midsize companies that have introduced telecommuting as a way to prevent the spread of the infection of the new coronavirus.
The move is aimed at encouraging companies to promote telework, even at those that do not have the communications equipment necessary to work outside the office.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the subsidy program covers small and midsize companies that introduced telework on or after Feb. 17, when health minister Katsunobu Kato called for active introduction of the system. The government will subsidize half the costs up to 1 million yen per company for equipment and employee training for telework.
The subsidy will be granted as a special exception from an existing subsidy program that was established to encourage the shifting of working hours and other changes to improve working conditions at small and midsize companies. The coronavirus-related grant will expire at the end of May.
The government will also provide subsidies of up to 500,000 yen to small and midsize companies that have established a system to allow employees to take time off from work when they develop symptoms, such as fever and cough.
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