COVID-19  •  Companies news

Enterprise SG: COVID-19 Key updates For Businesses

Following the government's 'Circuit Breaker' press conference on Apr 3 2020, these are the key updates on pre-empting the trend of increasing local transmission of COVID-19 in Singapore.

Circuit Breaker: Suspension of Activities at Workplace Premises

1.    From 7 April 2020 till 4 May 2020, there will be a suspension of activities at workplace premises. This duration may be extended if necessary. 

2.    Essential services and their related supply chains & service providers are allowed to operate at their premises. Please refer to the latest list of activities that will be allowed to continue to operate here.

3.    These entities are required to submit details of their plans to operate with additional safe distancing measures in place by end of 13 April 2020.

4.    Entities that are able to operate their business (in limited or full capacity) with their employees working from home should continue to do so. All other business, social or other activities that cannot be conducted through telecommuting or other means from home shall be suspended.

5.    Please note current safe distancing measures on capacity limits and physical separation remain in force and must be strictly complied with.

Entities providing Essential Services 

6.    The provision of food and essential health items to the public is an essential service. Food suppliers, food retail (including supermarkets, convenience stores, grocery & fruit stores, wholesale markets, wet markets), food & beverage (F&B) outlets (including restaurants, hawker centres, coffee shops and food courts), and pharmacies will remain open.However, F&B outlets can only offer take-away and deliveries only; no dining in is allowed.

7.    Entities providing essential services must ensure all activities that can take place through telecommuting must be done from home, and implement safe distance measures to reduce physical interactions. 

8.    To ensure workplace safety and health, businesses are advised to put in place COVID-19 precautionary measures when receiving deliveries. 

Applications For Exemption from the Suspension

9.    Entities which would like to be exempted from the suspension should first read the FAQs provided at Annex B of MTI’s media release. Should they still wish to apply to be exempted, they may make an application athttps://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg. Only entities performing, or providing critical support for, essential services will be exempted.

Support for Businesses

10.    Employers should use the next few days to plan and carry out duties or tasks that must be performed at the workplace premises, before the additional safe distancing measures come into effect. 

11.    For employees who cannot work from home or at their workplace premises, employers should work out with them clear salary and leave arrangements, based on the principle of shared responsibility. Such arrangements should take into consideration the government support for wages and any subsidies for training.

12.    To support businesses through this period, MOM will announce additional support that will include enhanced wage support for businesses, further financing help, and help for households. More details will be made available shortly.  

Remote Working and Business Continuity Planning

13.    The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and its partners have curated a suite of digital solutions to help businesses address business continuity challenges. These solutions include remote working, visitor management and online transactions. 

14.    We also encourage you to continue reviewing and strengthening your business continuity plans so as to enhance resilience in the long run. We have updated our guide on business continuity planning for enterprises to support you on this journey. You may access the latest version of the guide here.