Covid-19: Govt to give special one-month bonus to frontline officers, one-off grant for clinics in GPs network

SINGAPORE — Public officers working on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis will be given a special one month bonus to recognise their valour in “a tangible way”, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Friday (Feb 28).

“The selflessness and commitment of our healthcare workers have shone through as they bravely care for those affected and tirelessly work to contain the spread of the virus. They are an inspiration to all of us, and their spirit of excellence has been recognised around the world,” said Mr Heng during his round-up speech to the Budget debate in Parliament.

As Members of Parliament thumped their armrests in support, he said: “While we cannot thank them enough, we will show our appreciation and support in a tangible way. The Government will award public officers on the frontline who are directly battling the Covid-19 disease, up to one additional month of special bonus.”

Those battling the disease directly include healthcare officers in the Health Ministry and the hospitals, as well as other officers in frontline agencies who have been directly involved, he said, without naming the agencies.

Other public officers who have contributed significantly will be recognised in appropriate ways, added Mr Heng.

In addition, Singapore will also give out a one-off Covid-19 grant to the 900 Public Health Preparedness Clinics that were activated to deal with the health crisis, including more than 600 general practitioner clinics, to support them in “their active role in caring for patients with respiratory symptoms”.

The size of this grant was not specified in his speech.

Said Mr Heng, who is also the Finance Minister: “This gesture, plus the many words of encouragement and acts of consideration and kindness, is our way to express to you, ‘We salute you’.”