As part of an enhanced measure, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce for the Covid-19 situation has announced a new Stay-Home Notice for Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning to Singapore from mainland China, outside of Hubei province.
The Stay-Home Notice will take effect from 18 February 2020 at 11.59pm.
Those who are placed under the notice will have to remain at home at all times during the 14-day period.
The notice implementation will be stricter than the Leave of Absence, which allows individuals to leave their home for brief periods.
The Stay-Home Notice will also apply to work pass holders returning from China.
These workers would already need prior approval from the Manpower Ministry (MOM) before returning to Singapore.
For employers who need help in looking for alternative accommodation for their returning workers to serve the Stay-Home Notice, MOM will link them up with hotels or dormitory operators.
MOM will also extend the Leave of Absence Support Programme (LOASP) to businesses and self-employed persons affected by the Stay-Home Notice.
Under the LOASP, eligible employers will be able to apply for $100 per day for every worker serving the notice. Employers with foreign workers will also be eligible for a levy waiver.
In a statement, MOM said that those who are on Stay-Home Notice will still be able telecommute or work remotely. In such cases, the employer or self-employed person should not apply for support.
Those who flout the Stay-Home Notice may face penalties and be prosecuted.
Foreign workers may have their work passes revoked, and their employers may have their work pass privileges withdrawn.
Students who flout the notice may face disciplinary action from their schools.
Permanent residents, Dependant's Pass, and Long-Term Visit Pass holders may have their passes revoked or the validity shortened.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a press release, those who need assistance can approach relevant authorities such as the Manpower Ministry (work pass holders), People’s Association (Singapore Citizens, permanent residents, Dependant's Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass holders) or the Ministry of Education (students).
“The Stay-Home Notice is another precautionary measure we are taking to minimise the risk of additional imported cases of COVID-19. Similar to those placed on Leave of Absence previously, those issued Stay-Home Notices are not suspected to have been in close contact with confirmed cases, nor are they unwell or displaying symptoms of the virus. These individuals are bearing inconvenience for the benefit of the wider community,” said MOH.
Since 31 January 2020, the number of confirmed cases in mainland China, outside Hubei, has increased from over 4,000 to 12,000.
