(Singapore, May 6, 2020) All businesses in categories given the green light to resume operations on Tuesday can reopen without needing to seek approval, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Wednesday.
Earlier this month, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced that it would progressively ease some of the tighter circuit breaker measures over the coming weeks.
From 12 May 2020, retail laundry services, barbers and hairdressers (for basic haircut services), and retail of pet supplies can resume operations. Retail outlets of cakes and confectionery, packaged snacks, and desserts may be open for takeaway and delivery only.
The manufacturing and onsite preparation of all food including cakes and confectionary, ice cream, cocoa, chocolate, and chocolate products and other snacks will also be allowed.
Taking into consideration the large number of businesses in the categories listed in para, MTI says it will not require them to seek exemption from MTI individually before resuming operations. Instead, MTI will grant them a class exemption to resume business during this period, subject to them fully implementing the safe management measures.
In addition to the businesses, the government will gradually re-open more workplaces, taking into account their importance to the economy and global supply chains, their contribution to local employment and their ability to minimise risks of transmission at their workplaces.
All businesses must put in place the necessary safe management measures to minimise crowding within their premises and ensure high sanitation and hygiene standards. These measures include: Staggered working hours and break times to minimise crowding of workers at arrival/departure or break times; employers must cancel or defer all events or activities that involve close and prolonged contact amongst participants; all social gatherings at the workplace must also be cancelled or deferred, including interacting at staff canteens, or being in groups during meals or breaks.
