Companies should prepare for reopening; priority given to sectors vital to global supply chains: Chan Chun Sing

PRIORITY will be given to some businesses in sectors vital to global supply chains, including biopharma, petrochemicals and manufacturing, to progressively reinstate operations from May 12 provided that they implement precautions, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, Mr Chan encouraged companies to prepare to reopen from now up till May 11, by implementing safe work environment measures, as well as to divide their workforce into cohorts that do not mix beyond working hours.   But employees who are currently working from home will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, he told reporters at an online press briefing.

"Many people have gotten used to the use of the Internet for coordination and for work that doesn't require onsite activities, they will continue, and this forms the bulk of our economy. There will be some people getting used to not having to be onsite so frequently, and I think that will also help to reduce the on demand of our transport load," Mr Chan said. 

Elaborating on the safe work environment measures companies should adopt, Mr Chan said: "(We) have to start to prepare ourselves for the resumption." This means, in all the factories and companies, there need to be safe distancing measures, safe rest areas, cohorting for business continuity, use of technology solutions to track and trace. There should also be necessary testing for higher-risk groups.

"At the same time, we are asking our companies to work with us to have safe cohorting beyond work. And I think whether it's this pandemic or beyond, these will be good business continuity measures," he added. 

In reopening the economy, Singapore is taking a "conditions and outcome-based approach" to balance between aiding economic recovery and preventing a relapse or "flare up" of Covid-19 cases, Mr Chan said. 

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"If we can continue to sustain the very low numbers in the community, it will give us greater confidence to progressively open up more sectors to recover as near to full capacity as we possibly can," he said. 

Addressing a query on the possibility of a second wave of infections, he added: "If we are not careful, then there can be a flare-up again some time down the road. And if everytime there's a flare up, there's another set of circuit breaker measures, then it'll be very costly...The reason we are putting in place the safe and sustainable measures is to... minimise these chances of a flare up to the lowest possible."

Meanwhile, the government is also "looking at help schemes for sectors that have to restart later", Mr Chan added. MTI will consult closely with the trade assocations and chambers (TACs) as well as businesses on how the various sectors can be restarted, he said. Some sectors like entertainment may also need to rethink their business models to operate past the pandemic. 

On Saturday, the government laid out how it will progressively reopen the economy. From May 5, Singapore will allow traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture services, albeit only for pain management. TCM halls with registered practitioners will also be able to resume retail sales. 

Subsequently, from May 12, the government will allow manufacturing and onsite preparation of all food to resume. This includes the production of cakes and confectionery, ice cream, chocolate and other snacks. Some workplaces that run essential services will also be allowed to have their staff back, once their premises have been assessed to have implemented sufficient precautions.

Retail food outlets, including those selling cakes and confectionery, as well as pet supplies shops can also open for takeaway and delivery only. Laundry services may also resume, along with simple haircut services at barbers.

Home-based food businesses will also be allowed to resume, but only for delivery or collection. But home-based private dining will not be allowed.