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Covid-19: 'Stabilisation phase' restrictions extended by a month to Nov 21

SINGAPORE — Due to continuing pressures on the healthcare system, the Government will be extending the stabilisation phase by another month, until Nov 21, from its original end-date on Oct 25.

The present safe distancing rules, such as the dine-in group size of no larger than two, will remain in place until Nov 21.

The present safe distancing rules, such as the dine-in group size of no larger than two, will remain in place until Nov 21.

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SINGAPORE — Due to continuing pressures on the healthcare system, the Government will be extending the stabilisation phase by another month, until Nov 21, from its original end-date on Oct 25.

At the same time, the authorities will also extend support measures to help businesses and individuals tide over this extended phase, the national task force on Covid-19 said on Wednesday (Oct 20).

This means that the present safe distancing rules, such as the dine-in group size of no larger than two, will remain in place.

“We will review the measures at the two-week mark and adjust these based on the community situation then,” said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a press release.

In a press conference on Wednesday, task force co-chair Lawrence Wong noted that the Restaurant Association of Singapore had requested for the rules to be loosened, to permit members of the same household to dine in together in groups of up to five.

“We understand where the Restaurant Association is coming from. For now we think it's still too risky to make such a move because of the pressure on the healthcare system, but it is indeed something we are looking into,” said Mr Wong.

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SUPPORT MEASURES

  • Jobs Support Scheme assistance will be set at 25 per cent for sectors significantly affected by the continuing tightened measures. These sectors are: F&B, retail, cinemas, museums, art galleries, historical sites, family entertainment, tourism, gyms and fitness studios, and performing arts and arts education. This scheme subsidises the salaries of Singaporeans and permanent residents.

  • Qualifying tenants on government-owned commercial properties will receive a half-month rental waiver, while qualifying tenant-occupiers and owner-occupiers of privately owned commercial properties will also be given a half-month rental relief cash payout under the Rental Support Scheme.

  • Cooked food and market stallholders in centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or NEA-appointed operators will receive a half-month rental waiver.

  • The Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund payout for taxi and private hire car drivers will be extended. Payouts will be S$10 and S$5 per vehicle per day for November and December 2021 respectively.

The total sum of the support measures is S$640 million, which will be funded from “higher than expected” government revenues collected to date, said the statement.

There will be no further draw on past reserves, Mr Wong added.

“During this period, we strongly encourage everyone to practise social responsibility, to abide by the prevailing safe management measures, test regularly and seek medical treatment if feeling unwell,” said the MOH.

“The elderly and persons with co-morbidities should take extra precautions as they are more vulnerable to severe illness should they get infected. Together, we will be able to ride out this wave of infections safely and emerge stronger.”

Related topics

Covid-19 coronavirus MOH Stabilisation Phase

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