Update: 21 March 2020
Enterprise Singapore has updated their business advisory based on the latest updates from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower, as attached.
Advisory on COVID-19 for Businesses 200320_final 930pm
Updated Travel Advisory and Restrictions
Everyone are strongly encouraged to review work-related travel plans, and defer all travel abroad with immediate effect. Do also obtain a travel declaration from your employees.
Should any of your employees still proceed to travel overseas, you may require them to use their annual leave entitlements to cover the duration of their mandatory Stay-Home Notice (SHN), or any extended period of travel in the destination country.
Updated Measures for Returning Travellers
MOM is encouraging companies to impose Leave of Absence for all employees returning to Singapore between 14 March and 20 March if these employees have not already been issued with SHN. You may find more details here.
From 20 March 2020, 2359 hours, all travellers (Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, Long-Term Pass Holders and short-term visitors) entering Singapore from any country will be issued with a 14-day SHN.
From 20 March 2020, 2359 hours, you will need to obtain MOM’s approval for all employees and dependents (who are existing workpass holders and in-Principle Approval holders who have yet to enter Singapore) planning to enter/return to Singapore from any country. Please use MOM’s entry approval calculator to plan when to submit your request. Please ensure you are able to fulfil the additional obligations set out by MOM before requesting for approval.
You may refer to this link for the full list of border control measures.
Attached is also a health advisory for worker returning recently from overseas – Health Advisory for Workers Returning from Overseas (for issuance)
Stricter Safe Distancing Measures
Employers are strongly advised to implement measures to reduce close physical interactions among employees, and facilitate telecommuting for their employees to work from home. For instances where telecommuting is not feasible, additional precautions should be taken. Please refer to this link for more information on safe distancing at the workplace.
Between now and 30 June 2020, all events and gatherings with 250 or more participants in attendance at any one time are to be suspended. For events and gatherings with fewer than 250 participants, do implement necessary precautionary measures to ensure separation of at least a metre between participants.
If you operate any venues accessible to the public, please implement necessary precautionary measures to ensure the separation of at least a metre between patrons. You may find more information on how to implement these measures for specific venues here.
Please refer to www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/covid-19 for all updates.
Update: 18 March 2020
The Singapore government is progressively strengthening our measures to reduce the risk of imported cases and community transmission.
You too, can do your part by taking appropriate precautionary measures. Enterprise Singapore have highlighted key changes your business should note as we ramp up our national response to the situation.
Together, we will overcome as one #SGUnited.
Business Continuity Plans
1. As the situation is evolving rapidly around the world, we advise all businesses to update their business continuity plans (BCP) and prepare for the possibility of further travel restrictions which may limit the movement of workers travelling in and out of Singapore.
2. You may wish to use our Business Continuity Guide as a general reference for enterprises in planning for COVID-19. If you require more information specific to your business, please get in touch with a business continuity professional.
Additional travel advisory and restrictions
3. We advise you to defer all non-essential overseas travel for the next 30 days, with immediate effect from 15 March 2020.
4. Please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel advisories, if any, before planning any essential overseas trips.
5. All new visitors with recent travel history to mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea, or Spain within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore.
6. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents (PRs), and long-term pass holders, including Work Passes and Permits, Student Pass, Dependant’s Pass, and Long-Term Visit Pass with travel history within the last 14 days to the above restricted locations will also be issued a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
7. All travellers (including Singapore Residents, long-term pass holders, and short-term visitors) entering Singapore with recent travel history to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom within the last 14 days will be issued with a 14-day SHN.
8. The flow of goods and cargo between Singapore and Malaysia, including food supplies, will continue.
9. You should obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for work pass holders with the above travel history before their intended arrival date, and inform them not to make travel plans before approval has been received. Please use the entry approval calculator to plan when to submit your request. Please ensure you are able to fulfil the additional obligations set out by MOM before requesting for approval.
10. If your foreign employees wish to bring dependents who are not employed (i.e. not issued a work pass, including Letter of Consent) to Singapore, please advise your employees to seek prior approval from MOM. Please also advise them that they are responsible for ensuring their dependents fulfil all necessary obligations.
Keeping a safe distance at the workplace
11. Where feasible, we advise you to put in place measures to reduce close contact among employees. Examples of these measures include implementing tele-commuting and video-conferencing; staggering work hours; allowing employees to commute at off-peak hours; and spacing seating in meeting rooms and work stations.
Precautions for events and mass gatherings
12. MOH has introduced new requirements to limit large crowds gathering in close proximity over a prolonged duration. We advise businesses to cancel or defer organising events with 250 participants or more. For events that have already been committed (e.g. tickets sold), you must demonstrate that satisfactory precautionary measures have been put in place before you can proceed.
Managing manpower needs
13. Amid the changing operating environment, we strongly encourage you to take a long-term view of your manpower needs. For appropriate measures to manage excess manpower, you may refer to the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.
14. If you have 10 or more employees and have implemented any cost-saving measures that affect your employees’ monthly salaries (including bonuses and increments) during this period, please notify MOM through this online form – within 1 week after implementation. This is a temporary requirement. For more details, please refer to this link on the MOM website.
