KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) announced on Sunday all its offices and service counters nationwide will be closed during the “total lockdown” phase one from June 1 to 14.

It said this was in line with the government’s decision to enforce the “total lockdown” during this period to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, all prior Janji Temu Online (JTO) appointments will be cancelled with immediate effect. Members are required to reschedule their visits to a later date via the JTO facility after the total lockdown period is over, if there is a need to be present at EPF branches in person, ” it said.

The EPF said appointments for age 50,55,60 and incapacitation withdrawal applications will be given priority when the EPF’s offices and services counters are back in operation.

The retirement fund said this is part of an effort to break the chain of infection by reducing face to face interaction.

It said for members that have applied for the i-Sinar withdrawals and are awaiting payment via payment order (PO), the relevant EPF branches will contact the members to arrange for the PO pick up at the branch selected by them.

For other EPF services such as withdrawal applications for housing, age 50,55 and 60, members are able to access these online transactions via i-Akaun during this period.

However, the thumb print verification process to complete the online transaction can only be done once the total lockdown period is over and EPF offices and service counters are back in operation.

“The EPF regrets any inconvenience to the public by the latest developments. The fund is taking all preventive measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time, prioritising the health and safety of all members and staff and ensuring that they remain safe, ” it said.