Singapore

WORKERS in essential services and industries critical to global supply chains - including manufacturing of semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals - may still go to work, even as Singapore puts in place stricter measures from April 7 till May 4 amid the Covid-19 outbreak, including workplace closures.

"This is not about business closure," said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing. "This is about closing the premises for the duration in order for us to adopt the enhanced safe-distancing measures. "Many businesses will still be able to operate," he said, at a press conference after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's speech on Friday. More measures to support firms and households will come in Parliament next week.