Singapore likely to relax COVID-19 restrictions after June 13

Singapore plans on relaxing its COVID-19 restrictions after June 13, should the situation continue to improve and the number of community cases falls further, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a televised address on Monday. 

In the meantime, workers are still advised to work from home as much as possible during the period. 

Last week, the government announced that it is raising its wage support for businesses in sectors that have been significantly affected under the nation’s tightened restrictions.

Businesses in sectors where the tightened measures require them to suspend many, if not all, their operations will receive 50% of wage support under the Jobs Support Scheme from May 16 to June 13, which is the period of tighter restrictions under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said at a virtual briefing.

The enhanced scheme will be applicable to gyms, fitness studios, arts education centres and performing arts organisations. It will also provide a 30% wage support for sectors that may not be required to suspend operations, but are nonetheless significantly affected by the restrictions, said the minister. 

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These include those in the retail sector, museums, art galleries, historical sites, cinemas, indoor playgrounds, family entertainment centres and affected personal care services.