The Singapore – Hong Kong air travel bubble is very likely to be delayed even further due to the increase of Covid-19 cases here.
It was originally scheduled to launch on 26 May, if resumption conditions are met.
Ong Ye Kung said during the Multi Ministry Task Force (MTF) press conference earlier today (14 May), that there will be a critical review of the situation, where the numbers will be closely monitored for the next few days.
Ong also said that Hong Kong’s secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau Tang Wah, has been briefed on the current situation in Singapore.
Ong also added that it is very likely that Singapore will not be able to meet the resumption criteria, and that a decision will be announced early next week.
Image source: Unsplash and Singapore Airlines Facebook
The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced in a press release earlier today (14 May) that they will increase the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) support rate for F&B outlets, as well as a one-month rental relief for hawker centres on government owned premises.
Due to the restriction of Dining-in at F&B outlets from 16 May to 13 June, the JSS support rate will be increased to 50% of the first $4,600 of gross monthly wages paid to local employees during the period.
The new enhanced JSS will be an increase from the 10% support for wages, to 50%.
A one-month rental waiver for hawker stall and coffeeshop tenants in government-owned premises will also be enacted.
Image source: wanderlustyle (Image used strictly for illustration purpose only)
Several eateries across Singapore, including a coffeeshop at MacPherson road, were visited by Covid-19 cases during the period where they were infectious, some of the cases were workers working there.
The places include:
M171 Gourmet Street Coffeeshop at 171 MacPherson Road (on May 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 between 7am and 3pm each day)
A KFC fast-food outlet in Junction 8 mall (on May 3 between 4pm and 4.45pm)
Food Junction food court in Junction 8 (on May 3 between 5pm and 10pm)
F M Food Master at 19 Serangoon North Avenue 5 (on May 4 between 11.10am and 11.55am and on May 7 between 11.15am and 12pm)
Eunos Food Station at 2A Eunos Crescent (on May 4 between 4pm and 5pm)
Thye Hwa Heng Canteen at 29 Eunos Avenue 6 (on May 5 between 4.10pm and 8.45pm)
A Starbucks outlet in Plaza Singapura mall (on May 5 and 6 between 6.30pm and 11.30pm each day)
Happy Hawkers at 267 Compassvale Link (on May 7, 8 and 9 between 9am and 11am each day)
Kopitiam food court in Changi Airport Terminal 3 (on May 7 between 10.55am and 11.40am)
The Restaurant at 1010 Dover Road (on May 7 between 7.55pm and 9.40pm)
LBC Express Airfreight in Lucky Plaza mall (on May 8 between 9.40am and 6.30pm)
Ming Seng Goldsmith in Joo Chiat Complex (on May 8 between 2.05pm and 3.25pm)
Balestier Bak Kut Teh at 365 & 369 Balestier Road (on May 8 between 2.30pm and 3.15pm)
Olson Studio in Orchard Central mall (on May 9 between 2pm and 2.45pm)
MOH advised those who have been at these locations during the specified timings to monitor their health closely and see a doctor if they develop any symptoms of acute respiratory infections.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said earlier today (14 May) that it will now be mandatory for all diners to return their trays and clear their table litter from 1 June onwards.
And because of the new rules put in place, banning all dining in at food outlets from 16 May to 13 June, the rule will kick in after that period.
A 3-month advisory period from 1 June to 31 August will be put in place to help diners adjust, where there will be no enforcement actions taken.
From 1 September onwards, enforcement actions will be taken against those who do not clean up after themselves.
First time offenders will receive a written warning and subsequent offenders may then face composition or court fines, which can go up to $2,000.
The Multi-Ministry Task Force (MTF) announced in a Press Conference earlier today (14 May), that further restrictions on social gatherings will be put in place following the increased Covid-19 community cases over the past few weeks.
Starting from 16 May to 13 June, all social gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 2 people.
All dining-in at F&B venues will be banned until further notice.
This marks the first time since last year’s Phase 2 that dining-in has been disallowed and social gatherings being capped at less than 5 people.
Visitors to households will also be capped at 2 distinct visitors per household.
Unknown cases in the community
The MOH explained that the recent spate of unlinked local community cases (is worrying) suggests that there may be unknown cases in the community with possible ongoing community transmission.
Indoor mask-off activities will also be banned during the period.
In the wake of Singapore’s rising number of community cases, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli urged the public to stay at home whenever possible and to avoid going out unless necessary.
He shared a post on Facebook:
“MOH has just announced 24 new COVID-19 community cases. “
“This is the highest daily number of community cases since July 2020. 17 of these cases are linked to the Changi Airport cluster, bringing the total number of cases in the cluster to 42. “
“This is worrying, especially since it is happening during the festive period. Many would have taken leave for a long weekend to go house visiting or simply to engage in outdoor activities.“
“I urge everyone to reconsider your plans given the latest development. Do try to stay at home and go out only if really necessary. As much as possible, try to connect with one another through online platforms. If you do need to be outside, do observe seriously the safe management measures.“
“Earlier this week, Minister Lawrence Wong had shared in Parliament that Singapore is on knife-edge, where the community cases can go either way over the next few weeks. This is especially worrying since the number of unlinked cases is growing and the cases in the cluster are expanding.“
“The experts agree too. They opined that it is up to us – whether we cooperate so that we control the increasing cases or clusters or we will end up with another round of circuit breaker given the highly infectious nature of the virus.“
“Let us all play our part diligently and continue to keep our family, and Singapore safe.“
Images source: Masagos Zulkifli Facebook and @sgdirtyfella on IG
A video emerged online showing a minah illegally smoking inside a lift.
She said that she was “once a happy girl”.
She then ranted and posted a caption about how she just doesn’t feel like doing anything else.
She said:
“Then now im just turn into a depression girl that became really silence and becoming more cranky and really down just dont feel doing anyt else. (SIC)”
