Infectious Diseases (Workplace Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations 20201 was issued by the Ministry of Health on 1 April.
MEASURES
The following provisions are stipulated under the Regulations:
- Implementation of telecommuting by employers and principals
- Implementation of safe distancing measures by employers and principals during the control period
- Communications from employers and principals to all workers and individuals on the arrangements, steps or measures
- Obligations of occupiers
- Refusal of workers and other individuals subjected to the movement control measure into workplace
- Obligations of workers and other individuals, including compliance to the requirements from employer, principal or occupier
IMPACT ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- Employers are to implement the measures covered in the Regulations, where reasonably practicable to do so, and ensure that workers and individuals are informed on the arrangements and their obligations
On 3 April, the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed Singapore on enhanced measures to deal with the COVID-19 situation in Singapore.
MEASURES
Singapore will apply a ‘’circuit breaker’’ for one month to help reduce the risk of big outbreak. Measures announced include the following:
- Most workplaces/premises, except essential services and key economic sectors, will be closed with the effect from 7 April.
- Starting from 8 April, Singapore will move to full home-based learning for schools and institutes of higher learning. All pre-school and student care centres will also be closed, excluding those provide limited services for children of parents who have to continue their works.
- Restrictions on movements and gatherings of people will be restricted, where gathering should only confined to households.
Singaporean are advised to go out only for essential things (e.g. to work if you are in essential services or key economics, to buy food)
IMPACT ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- For essential services, food establishments, markets, and supermarkets will remain open. However, for food services, restaurants will be allowed to operate only for takeaways and food delivery services by delivery service providers.
- All food related services, and all supply chain activities related to the essential services, are allowed to continue. These include non-manufacturers, storage and logistic service providers.
- For those allowed to operate, they shall follow the regulations as stipulated in Infectious Diseases (Workplace Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations 2020.
- A hotline will be set up by the Ministry of Trade and Industry for local businesses to make their enquiries.
- Meanwhile, the government also reassured that Singapore has enough food supplies.