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SINGAPORE – All independent food and beverage (F&B) outlets, as well as hairdressers and hair salons, should close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday (April 21).
This is part of a new adjustment in companies deemed essential during the Singapore Circuit Breaker, which has now been extended until June 1.
Separately, the temperature control will be carried out in all supermarkets and shopping centers from April 22. Visitors will also have to provide their contact tracking data, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MTI) said in a statement Tuesday (April 21) at night.
For the F&B sector, independent points of sale, excluding those of street vendors, canteens and cafeterias, which predominantly sell drinks, packaged snacks, confectionery or desserts, will have to close, the ministry said.
These include specialty stores and outlets that primarily sell:
– Drinks such as bubble tea, fruit juices, smoothies and soy; alcoholic drinks; Coffee and tea.
– Packaged and loose snacks that include nuts, chips, popcorn, bak kwa, and cheese
– Desserts such as red / green bean soup, herb jelly, ice cream, yogurt, cakes, muffins, waffles, chocolate, cookies, sweet cakes, and donuts.
Online retailing of these products is permitted only if they are made from an authorized central kitchen, manufacturing facility, or warehouse that is not MTI-excluded.
Restaurants and food vending machines in parks, with the exception of street vendor centers, should also close.
All other food establishments, including those that sell hot or cooked sandwiches or breads, may remain open for takeout and delivery services only.
Additional restrictions will also be put in place at select consumer-oriented businesses to further reduce customer interactions.
Starting Wednesday (April 22), optical stores can no longer accept customers without an appointment, and must operate by appointment only. Pet supply stores and retail laundry services must also close their physical stores, but can provide online sales and deliveries.
The number of companies that are allowed to have staff operating in their workplaces will also decrease, particularly among those that are less critical to daily life or to maintaining essential supply chains, MTI said.
This will mean that some companies will have to suspend activities on the site. MTI said those affected will be notified and will be given 24 hours to finish operations.
“While this may mean some degradation of services, it is necessary to further reduce the number of workers in essential companies and minimize the risks of transmission among workers,” the ministry said.
All other businesses that received MTI’s pre-approval to operate until May 4, when the circuit breaker was originally due to end, can continue to do so until June 1.
However, they must guarantee safe distancing measures, prohibit the cross-deployment of personnel to other points of sale and register the entry and exit of their workers from the facilities for the purpose of locating contacts.
Companies that do not implement or comply with government safe distancing warnings may not be eligible for grants, loans, tax refunds and other government assistance, MTI warned.
The list of activities that will be allowed to continue operating will be updated on this website.
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