SINGAPORE: About 940,000 Housing and Development Board (HDB) households will receive double their regular GST Voucher – Utilities-Save (U-Save) rebate for the financial year to help with utilities bills.
This is part of the Government’s Care and Support Package announced as part of Budget 2020 to help households with their expenses.
Normally, households in 1- and 2-room HDB flats get annual U-Save rebates equivalent to about three to four months of their utilities bills on average.
With the one-off doubling, they will now get rebates equivalent to at least six to eight months of utilities bills on average, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a press release.
Households in 3- and 4-room HDB flats normally receive support equivalent to about one to two months of utilities bills. They will now get support equivalent to at least two to four months of their bills.
There will also be more help for bigger households later in the year. Eligible households with five or more members will get an additional voucher rebate, receiving a total of 2.5 times their regular voucher rebate in the 2020 financial year.
(Image: Ministry of Finance)
In all, this amounts to a total of S$630 million in benefits for households, said MOF.
The permanent GST Voucher scheme was introduced by the Government in Budget 2012 to help lower- and middle-income Singaporeans offset some of their GST expenses.
The voucher consists of three components – Cash, MediSave and U-Save. The GST Voucher – U-Save provides lower- and middle-income HDB households with a rebate to offset their utilities bills, and households receive their rebates every January, April, July and October.
Household members refer to individuals living at the same residence (as reflected on their NRICs), and who are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption (for example a spouse, parents, children, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins and in-laws).
Domestic helpers, unrelated tenants, god-parents, and friends are not considered household members.
SINGAPORE: Clément Nedelcu and his wife have not seen their youngest son Daniel for months.
The last time they were together was the December holidays, and the whole family had gone to China to visit relatives.
The couple and their older son Leo flew back home to Singapore on Jan 2 for work and school, but thought it would be nice for toddler Daniel to spend more time with his maternal grandparents over the upcoming Chinese New Year period.
The original plan was for his grandmother to bring the boy back on Feb 8.
But just eight days before they were due to fly, Singapore announced new restrictions on travellers who had recently been to mainland China, effectively barring Daniel’s grandmother (who would be on a social visit pass) from entering – and leaving the two-year-old stranded.
The toddler is still in China, effectively unable to come back to Singapore as global borders tighten in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
As countries around the world struggle to tackle the deadly new coronavirus, they have enacted a rapid succession of measures including border restrictions, physical distancing and full-blown lockdowns to fight the disease.
These controls have been put in place to preserve the well-being of the general public, especially vulnerable populations.
But for those who have loved ones thousands of miles away, safe distancing can quickly take on a whole new meaning.
And for Daniel, what was meant to be about a month-long visit to grandma and grandpa has now turned into an extended trip with no end in sight.
“WE WERE JUST A SINGLE DAY TOO LATE”
As it happened, Mr Nedelcu and his wife had grown increasingly worried after coming back to Singapore in January, as the coronavirus began spreading rapidly through China and beyond.
“When the epidemic began spreading and measures were taken, we thought it would be best to reschedule the flight as early as possible,” said the French national, who runs an IT company in Singapore.
After calling the airline “repeatedly for several days”, he eventually managed to change Daniel and his grandmother’s flight to the earliest date available, Feb 2.
But just a few hours after his booking was confirmed, Singapore announced its ban on visitors who had been in mainland China – to take effect at 11.59pm, Feb 1.
“I had anticipated that restrictions would start applying sooner or later, hence why I changed the flight as soon as I could,” said the 32-year-old. “But we were just a single day too late.”
Clément Nedelcu and his family. (Photo: Clément Nedelcu)
At the time, the couple had also considered having one of them fly back to China and bring Daniel home, but they were worried that quarantine measures in both Suzhou (where Daniel is) and Singapore could potentially mean taking a leave of absence for nearly a month.
They also did not want to risk bringing the disease back home.
“The risk of contracting the disease and bringing it back to Singapore was already a show-stopper,” said Mr Nedelcu. “So on top of that, the idea of having one of us stop our job for a whole month was not feasible.”
And now that Singapore has restricted entry for work pass holders to those providing “essential services”, Mr Nedelcu, who is here on an Employment Pass, is not even sure he would be allowed back in.
“Now it’s not even possible anymore, even if we wanted to: Even though China seems mostly back to normal and safe again, if we leave Singapore we won’t be allowed to come back, since both my wife and I work in non-essential businesses,” he said.
On the plus side, the situation in China seems to be getting better, and Suzhou has seen relatively fewer cases compared with the rest of the country, he added.
“It’s probably safer to leave personal considerations aside for the moment, no matter how difficult, and to make sure not to become a potential carrier of the disease from one country to another.”
Now, the couple stay connected to their son through video calls – but this can be tough given the average attention span of a toddler.
“At his age, it’s hard to maintain a conversation. If you add the bad quality of the video calls where we can barely hear and see each other, these moments are almost painful to us,” said Mr Nedelcu.
“We see him grow up and learn new skills and new words, thanks to his grandparents who are doing a great job taking care of him,” he said. “But we can’t help feeling sad for all those lost moments.”
Toddler Daniel will be turning three in May. (Photo: Clément Nedelcu)
Daniel will be turning three in May, and his parents are unsure if he will be home before then.
“The most difficult part right now is that we have no idea when we will see him again,” said his father. “We are horrified at the thought that we may miss his third birthday. It may not seem like a big deal, but if you have kids you will understand how much this means to us.”
WHEN YOUR PARTNER IS THOUSANDS OF MILES ACROSS THE OCEAN
For Christina Lee, an American who moved to Singapore two years ago for work, uncertainty about the future is one of the hardest parts about sustaining a long-distance relationship during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Ms Lee and her boyfriend Andy have been together since 2013. While the 27-year-old is stationed here the two have been doing long distance between Singapore and Wisconsin in the United States – thousands of miles and at least 20 hours of travel time apart.
They last saw each other about a month ago and had been planning another visit soon, but that was before Singapore announced a ban on short-term visitors.
“He was here from mid-January to mid-February for an extended visit, and we were planning to see each other again in a couple of months, but now it’s kind of on hold given the circumstances,” said Ms Lee.
Not knowing when travel restrictions will be lifted makes planning for the future tough.
“The saddest part is that we had all these really good plans when he was going to come out here, what our next steps together would look like, how we would actualise that; but it’s just, we literally don’t know when we’ll see each other again,” said Ms Lee.
“You can’t backwards plan, or count down to something fun, or look forward to when you’re going to see each other.”
Singaporean Jasper Ku faces a similar situation. He last saw his girlfriend Jihee in South Korea in the middle of January and was going to see her again in March, but tightening travel measures meant he scrapped his plans.
The 24-year-old Singapore University of Social Sciences student has been going out with his partner for more than a year. They are used to going for periods of time without meeting in person, but not knowing when they will next see each other can take a toll.
Jasper Ku (left) and his girlfriend An Jihee Rachel. (Photo: Jasper Ku)
“Long-distance has never been easy, but what always kept the both of us positive was a date set for us to meet,” said Mr Ku. “It kept me studying, working hard and her as well.”
“Now without it we’re both pretty depressed.”
Both Ms Lee and Mr Ku have their own ways of staying connected with their loved ones.
For Ms Lee, the 13-hour time difference means making time for phone conversations when they can, talking for a couple of minutes when she first wakes up, and staying up late to say hi before going to bed.
Watching movies together, doing virtual work-outs and challenging each other to online games are other options.
Meanwhile Mr Ku, who is also a part-time piano teacher, has tried to teach his girlfriend Studio Ghibli songs on the piano over video calls.
“Most importantly, we keep each other’s spirits high and positive,” he said. “We know we’re not the only ones affected by this situation and that there are many people much more heavily affected.”
He hopes, optimistically, that the situation will improve in June, so that “I can be with her on her birthday”.
IT MADE OUR INTENTIONS “VERY CLEAR”
However, even though maintaining a relationship is hard when all you have is a virtual presence, couples agree the travel restrictions are understandable and necessary to tackle COVID-19.
“I think these restrictions are necessary under a worldwide pandemic, so we are supportive,” said Singaporean Alison Loh.
The 34-year-old VP in the banking industry last saw her Philippines-based husband in early March. As a Singaporean he can technically come back (although he will have to serve a 14-day stay-home notice), but being in Manila he is living under a lockdown imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month.
“It’s going to take a while before we see each other again, but we are both quite positive about things,” said 34-year-old Ms Loh.
“In fact, this pandemic actually made me think a bit more about re-locating and joining him eventually, as he will be based there for some time.”
Alison Loh and her husband are doing long-distance between Singapore and Manila. (Photo: Alison Loh)
The circumstances have also had a a positive effect for Mr Ku.
“I think it has made our intentions for maintaining the relationship very clear to one another, which is to get married in the future,” he said.
“Our statements went from, ‘I really miss being able to just have a meal with you like other couples do,’ to ‘I know what we have between each other is something special we can’t find in others. We’ll get through this because I want to spend my life with you’.”
“We’ve been doing a really good job of supporting each other, being there to lean on each other,” said Ms Lee, the American in Singapore. “So I think that if anything, I am thankful that it shows that our relationship is strong.”
Mr Nedelcu too is staying optimistic.
“There are people handling the crisis who know what’s best, they are in the position to make rational decisions based on scientific evidence, so we should accept to go through hard times for the best of the community,” he said.
“Once this is all over, the joy of being reunited will be incredible.”
SINGAPORE: The Resilience Budget, coupled with the Unity Budget announced earlier, amounted to a stunning S$55 billion, equivalent to 11 per cent of Singapore’s GDP.
The S$48 billion Resilience Budget was unique in two aspects – it came just five weeks after the Feb 18 announcement of the Unity Budget 2020, and secondly, requires a draw on past reserves to fund it.
These are extraordinary measures in extraordinary times. But the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a black swan event of sorts, starting as a healthcare crisis but quickly morphing into an economic emergency as well, with many expecting this current downturn to be a bigger threat than the global financial crisis from a decade ago.
Global growth forecasts have been slashed and now a global recession appears to be on the cards for 2020.
Major central banks around the world have taken aggressive monetary policy easing moves in recent weeks.
This includes the US Federal Reserve, which slashed interest rates to near zero in two emergency moves as well as embarked on quantitative easing, pumping money into the economy through the purchase of bonds, among other measures to inject US dollar liquidity, and buy commercial papers.
They were joined in lockstep by the European Central Bank (ECB), the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, among others.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore has also eased monetary policy settings by flattening the slope of the trade-weighted Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) back in October 2019, with another easing to a zero appreciation slope announced on Mar 30.
A general view shows the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) building in Singapore on April 14, 2016. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
In addition, the establishment of the US$60 billion swap line with the US Federal Reserve has calmed some market concerns about the ongoing US dollar funding squeeze. But the heavy lifting rightfully came from the fiscal front for Singapore.
BIG GOVERNMENT?
With COVID-19 threatening the viability of many businesses and employment of Singaporeans, the attention has rightly turned to fiscal policy to head off a recession or at least buffer the downside growth risks.
The official 2020 growth forecast has been slashed to a contraction of between 1 per cent and 4 per cent year-on-year. Without the Government as the spender of last resort, the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic could potentially be even more severe and longer-lasting than the health crisis itself.
This is where the reassurances of the public sector taking the lead for creating jobs for 10,000 this year, helping employees stay employed through the enhanced wage offsets, particularly for COVID-19 impacted industries like aviation and tourism, new income support grants for displaced individuals and enhanced cash and Workfare pay-outs, would come in very timely and handy.
These interventions may prompt some to worry that a bigger Singapore Government may come with with negative connotations of extensive bureaucracy, intrusive policies and possibly inefficient involvement in the economic arena.
However, economic theory has always accepted the role of counter-cyclical fiscal policy – of government discretionary spending and changes in tax policy to counter an economic downturn.
ADDRESSING MORAL HAZARDS
With a bigger role played by the Government in the economy in this COVID-19 slowdown, some may wonder if businesses and households may start taking the ability and willingness of the Government to bail them out for granted.
However, this axiomatic moral hazard problem – where someone has the incentive to increase his exposure to risk because he does not bear the full cost of that risk – is less applicable at this juncture for two reasons.
Office workers at Raffles Place in Singapore. (File photo: Marcus Mark Ramos)
First, Singapore is a small and open economy, vulnerable to economic global tides.
The incoming economic data points to a potentially deeper and more protracted slump than the SARS experience in 2003, especially given the rapidly escalating infections and fatalities globally, which have been accompanied by increasingly extreme measures of countries or cities imposing lockdowns and other restrictions.
The public sector’s involvement is crucial to help Singapore manage the risks and impact of this projected slump.
Second, the proverbial rainy day is here. The reason for decades of fiscal prudence is to have the ammunition to respond urgently and aggressively in situations like this current COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, the current draw on reserves does not mean that the baby is being thrown out with the bath water. The golden rule about balancing the budget for each term of Government has been upheld, with the President’s approval sought for the draw on past reserves.
Judging by the previous experience of the last draw on past reserves back during the Global Financial Crisis, which saw the sum fully repaid in 2011, there is an established track record of fiscal discipline.
Looking ahead, some clarity must come in terms of the Resilience Budget announcements that will help the economy better appreciate the effects of public policy and anticipate the extent of the Government’s role.
In Parliament on Thursday (Mar 26), Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat lays out the Resilience Budget to help Singapore tide over the COVID-19 pandemic.
For instance, will the 10,000 jobs created fall mainly in the public or private sector? What is the proportion of permanent or temporary employment, and if they will be in economically viable growth industries?
How are companies that have accepted support from the Resilience Budget shifting operations or rechannelling manpower? What are they doing to ride this storm out?
Providing some updates on how labour has been channelled to productive ends may go some way to allay fears of a “free lunch” at the Government’s expense.
This will also give Singaporeans the confidence the money from the Resilience Budget is well spent and reassure them that there is an efficient and caring public service that looks after the welfare of the people through both good and bad economic times.
SINGAPORE: Sam slumped in defeat on a bench near Kranji MRT station. The 43-year-old had come to Singapore on the eve of Malaysia’s Mar 18 lockdown, with the promise of a job at a vegetable wholesale centre in Woodlands and accommodation provided.
Four days later, he was jobless – and without a roof. He couldn’t simply head back to his lodgings in Johor, nor return to his wife and two toddlers who lived eight hours away by car in Penang.
The Malaysian claims he was made to work overtime without extra pay, and when he asked about his work permit, his boss shrugged him off. “He just said one thing – if you cannot, then don’t work.”
That’s how Sam ended up at Kranji. “I really had no place to go because I don’t know anyone here. So I thought, just sit around until my next job interview,” he said.
Then, a few kind strangers approached him. Would he like a place to stay? asked the volunteers. For the next three nights, Sam found safe harbour at the Transit Point @ Margaret Drive.
The new shelter for the homeless, by New Hope Community Services (NHCS), had been running for about a week to iron out processes, and was barely furnished when the lockdown in Malaysia was announced.
Every day, volunteers come by to wash bedding at the shelter – which has not yet been officially opened, but kicked into full gear anyway to accommodate the rough sleepers.
The very day after the lockown took effect, the charity worked with several churches under the LoveSingapore umbrella to devise a plan to “quickly bring the shelter up to speed”, said Lilian Ong, 44, director of social services at NHCS.
That meant getting the plumbing and electricity throughout the 1,700 square-metre space up and running immediately, and calling urgently for donations and volunteers.
In a matter of hours, the ‘Home Away From Home’ initiative was rolled out – and about 250 volunteers responded to the call for befrienders, food handlers and housekeepers.
The next day, donations such as mattresses, fans, toiletries, food – even a television – started pouring in from the public, community partners and corporations.
Volunteers taking stock of donations from the public.
PROVIDING A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
On Mar 19, volunteers began “contact canvassing”, fanning out across Singapore to approach people sleeping at parks, HDB void decks and train stations, among other public spaces, to link them up with temporary shelters like Transit Point.
“Whenever the volunteers saw anyone sleeping out in the open, they would just extend the invitation. After that, social workers would interact with them to understand their situation,” said Lilian. The NHCS is part of the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs’ (PEERS) Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers) Network.
“It’s no matter whether they’re Singaporean or Malaysian. They’re people, so we have to help them,” added Lim Kim Tat, 46, an operations executive at the charity.
Malaysian workers seen sleeping behind the gates of Kranji MRT Station on Mar 18, 2020. (Photo: TODAY/Najeer Yusof)
Over five nights, volunteers rounded up more than 40 people who were not just Malaysian workers but also Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, most of whom had been affected by the lockdown.
“They could be Singaporeans working here who have bought or rented a place in Johor or Batam and cannot go home for now,” Lilian explained.
Malaysians both with and without work permits were given shelter for the night, while social workers later worked with them to figure out alternative accommodation.
“Everyone was in a frenzy those first few nights. The priority was just to find a roof over their head,” said Lilian.
An empty room at the shelter was quickly furnished to house rough sleepers. All items were donated by the public.
Most employers in Singapore, with the help of state agencies, managed to accommodate their Malaysian workers. But some who ended up at the shelter “initially didn’t know they could turn to their employers for help, and we encouraged them to do so.
“In other cases, employers approached us to assist their workers after learning they were living here.”
The team of volunteers continued their efforts until Mar 23. As of Apr 1, the shelter was at nearly full capacity, housing 58 beneficiaries in dedicated male and female spaces. About half of them are Malaysians.
WHO ARE THE AFFECTED MALAYSIANS?
When CNA Insider visited the shelter on Mar 25, there were around 10 beneficiaries spotted in the common areas and some 20 in the evening, when most returned from work.
A staff member of New Hope Community Services speaking to a beneficiary.
Among them was Azmi, 23, who works as a kitchen helper. He usually commutes to Singapore daily from Johor Bahru.
Just five months on the job, Azmi decided to stay in Singapore to avoid losing his position. Finding accommodation within his budget was a challenge. “I tried to look for a hostel but most of them with reasonable prices were fully booked on the day,” he said, referring to the morning of Mar 17 when he arrived in Singapore with his packed bags.
He was looking for hostels priced at around S$17 a night. A check with 10 hostels on Mar 27 found that their rates ranged from S$14 to S$69; the average was S$38.
Asked if his employers had helped him look for accommodation, Azmi said he did not want them to know that he was commuting from JB.
Those taking refuge at the shelter were thankful to have a place to do their laundry.
James, 39, who works as a masseuse, also found accommodation to be too expensive. Usually, he’d stay in Singapore for a few days either at his workplace, which opens for 24 hours, or in a backpacker hostel. He would return to Johor Bahru when not on shift.
The hostels usually cost S$18 to S$20. But at the moment, it’s increased to S$28 to S$30.
“For a few days here, it’s not very serious,” James added. “We can still afford a few dozen dollars. But if it’s an extended period of time, then we can’t take it.”
Still, he told his employers he would take care of his own accommodation. They did not offer to help him, but James attributes this to the bosses being new to running a business.
For a while, he shared a hotel room with Malaysian friends. When they found elsewhere to stay, he slept at the beach for two nights, before police referred him to Transit Point @ Margaret Drive.
“It’s better here. I don’t need to brave the weather and can rest properly,” he said.
A note left on a care package from donors reads: “To our Malaysian brothers and sisters, thank you for all your hard work. You have a special place in our hearts.”
Construction workers Mr Saw, 53, and Mr Chong, 58, both Singapore permanent residents, are not company employees and get jobs based on friends’ recommendations. They have been working here for more than 30 years and commute from JB. Prior to the lockdown, they’d rushed to Singapore to continue the projects they were working on. .
“You earn based on how much you work. I can’t just wait at home,” said Mr Chong, whose wife now lives alone in their Johor apartment.
For two nights, the two slept at their respective construction sites, braving “dusty and stuffy” conditions. They later found out online about the temporary shelter set up by MSF at Jurong East Sports Hall.
“When I went there, I was told that they don’t accept PRs. But the people were very helpful and directed me here (to Margaret Drive),” said Mr Chong.
Toilet paper, cleaning supplies and food were among the donations received by the shelter.
With Malaysia’s lockdown extended for another two weeks, the shelter is prepared to continue its care for as long as the beneficiaries need it, said Lilian.
At the shelter, Sam sleeps comfortably on a mattress laid on the floor, alongside six roommates who are all spaced 2 metres apart.
“The Singaporeans I met so far have been surprisingly helpful,” he said. “I told them, since they gave me food and shelter, I will do some work for them.” True to his word, he helped to install fans on the first day of his stay.
Every day at 6.30am, breakfast and befrienders are available at the common area; likewise at 6pm when it’s time for dinner.
At 12pm and 3pm, volunteers from the cleaning crew arrive, prepared to wash sheets, sun mattresses and clean up the compound.
The pantry is fully stocked with toiletries and snacks that Sam can freely help himself to. If he needs a listening ear, pastoral care is available.
The open pantry well stocked with food donations.
These plans were made possible due to the public’s response to Malaysia’s lockdown and the COVID-19 situation, noted Lilian. The shelter’s operations will be reassessed once the situation has stabilised.
For Sam, three days pass quickly, and he manages to secure his work permit and a job at a steel factory. His bosses have even found accommodation for him at Camp Challenge, a campsite that has leased out bed spaces to companies. About 600 people, mostly Malaysians, stay there currently, said Mohd Asharaf Ali, 26, the operations manager.
On his last night at the shelter, Sam says his goodbyes to the volunteers who have quickly become friends. By 5.30am the next morning, he’s out the door.
“My bosses said that the shelter should be reserved for those who really needed it,” Sam says.
Since Transit Point @ Margaret Drive opened its doors, many like Sam have come and gone, as the name of the shelter suggests.
“That’s the whole philosophy of New Hope – to reach out to the homeless, provide help, then right-side them so that they will not be in limbo,” said Lilian.
SINGAPORE: A total of 74 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Singapore on Wednesday (Apr 1), the highest daily increase to date, bringing the national total to 1,000 infections.
Of the confirmed cases, 54 are local cases who have no recent travel history.
Two new clusters have been identified – Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home at 1 Thomson Lane, as well as a workers’ dormitory located at 55 Sungei Kadut Loop.
In its daily update on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) also announced that three of the new cases involve people from the public healthcare sector – a clinical research coordinator at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a nurse at SGH and a doctor at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
Twenty of the new cases are imported, with a travel history to Australia, Europe, South America, Africa, ASEAN and other parts of Asia.
A total of 29 cases are linked to previous cases or clusters, while 25 cases are currently unlinked with contact tracing ongoing.
A total of 245 cases have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation services. Of the 461 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving.
A total of 24 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit while 291 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19 are isolated and cared for at Concord International Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and the Community Isolation Facility at D’Resort NTUC.
As previously reported, three have died due to complications from COVID-19.
CASES FROM PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SECTOR
Among the three new cases from the public healthcare sector, case 952 – the clinical research coordinator at SGH – had no recent travel history to affected countries or regions.
The 29-year-old Singaporean woman reported onset of symptoms on Mar 30 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Mar 31 afternoon. Prior to hospital admission, she had gone to work on Mar 30 but had not interacted with patients.
She is currently warded in an isolation room at SGH.
Case 952 is a nurse at SGH. The 37-year-old Singaporean woman had been in the UAE from Mar 14 to Mar 20. She reported onset of symptoms on Mar 30 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Mar 31 afternoon. Prior to hospital admission, she had gone to work on Mar 30.
She is currently warded in an isolation room at SGH.
Case 978 is a doctor at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital but had not gone to work since onset of symptoms.
The 26-year-old Singaporean woman had no recent travel history to affected countries or regions. She reported onset of symptoms on Mar 31 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Apr 1 morning. She is currently warded in an isolation room at National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
The Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home – a new cluster – has 11 cases linked to it as of Wednesday, following the announcement of one case (case 918) on Tuesday.
The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) confirmed on Wednesday night that of the 10 new cases linked to the home, eight are residents there (cases 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988 and 989), one is an employee who had cared for the home’s female residents (case 976), while another is a family member of the employee (case 973).
All staff caring for the home’s female residents have been on quarantine order since Tuesday, said AIC, while the remaining staff were placed on quarantine order on Wednesday.
“MOH and AIC are working to provide Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home (Thomson) with moral support during this period to ensure service continuity, so that its residents will not be affected,” said AIC.
Case 973 works in a non-patient facing role at the Moral Home for the Aged Sick, said AIC. He has not been to work since suffering symptoms. AIC said it has contacted Moral Home and stepped up monitoring of the health status of residents and staff. So far, all of its residents are well, said AIC.
The other cluster announced on Wednesday involves a workers’ dormitory located at 55 Sungei Kadut Loop. Two of the cases (972 and 974) announced on Wednesday are linked to a previous case (case 868).
Several clusters were identified in the past week, including a cluster at SingPost Centre, Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol, serviced apartments Wilby Residences as well as a pub called Hero’s in the Boat Quay area.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday said that there is no “magic solution” to the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore, and a series of brakes are needed to handle the situation.
Primary school students on Wednesday marked their first day of home-based learning, with most of them completing their assignments and learning from home, working on hardcopy worksheets or online assignments on the Student Learning Space.
Wednesday was also enlistment day on Pulau Tekong for scores of enlistees. This year, guests were not allowed at the Singapore Armed Forces Basic Military Training Centre as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Traditionally, enlistees’ parents are shown around the island, including visiting their children’s bunks at BMTC before sharing a meal with them in the cookhouse.
SINGAPORE: A total of 74 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Singapore on Wednesday (Apr 1), the highest daily increase to date, bringing the national total to 1,000 infections.
Of the confirmed cases, 54 are local cases who have no recent travel history.
The remaining 20 cases are imported and had a travel history to Australia, Europe, South America, Africa, ASEAN and other parts of Asia.
A total of 29 cases are linked to previous cases or clusters, while 25 cases are currently unlinked with contact tracing ongoing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update.
The ministry also announced two new clusters – Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home at 1 Thomson Lane, as well as a workers’ dormitory located at 55 Sungei Kadut Loop.
A total of 245 cases have fully recovered and have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation services. Of the 457 confirmed cases who are still in hospital, most are stable or improving.
A total of 24 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit while 291 cases who are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19 are isolated and cared for at Concord International Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and the Community Isolation Facility at D’Resort NTUC.
As previously reported, three have died due to complications from COVID-19.
CASES FROM PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SECTOR
MOH also reported that several of the new cases were from the public healthcare sector. These new cases include
CASE 951
Case 952 is a 29-year-old Singaporean woman who has no recent travel history to affected countries or regions. She reported onset of symptoms on Mar 30 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Mar 31 afternoon. She is currently warded in an isolation room at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). She is employed as a clinical research coordinator at SGH. Prior to hospital admission, she had gone to work on Mar 30 but had not interacted with patients.
CASE 952
Case 952 is a 37-year-old Singaporean woman who had been in the UAE from Mar 14 to Mar 20. She reported onset of symptoms on Mar 30 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Mar 31 afternoon. She is currently warded in an isolation room at on Mar 30. She is employed as a nurse at SGH. Prior to hospital admission, she had gone to work on Mar 30.
CASE 978
Case 978 is a 26-year-old Singaporean woman who has no recent travel history to affected countries or regions. She reported onset of symptoms on Mar 31 and subsequent test results confirmed COVID-19 infection on Apr 1 morning. She is currently warded in an isolation room at National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). She is employed as a doctor at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital but had not gone to work since onset of symptoms.
Several clusters have been identified in the past week, including a cluster at SingPost Centre, Westlite Toh Guan dormitory, S11 Dormitory @ Punggol, serviced apartments Wilby Residences as well as a pub called Hero’s in the Boat Quay area.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday said that there is no “magic solution” to the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore, and a series of brakes are needed to handle the situation.
Primary school students on Wednesday marked their first day of home-based learning, with most of them completing their assignments and learning from home, working on hardcopy worksheets or online assignments on the Student Learning Space.
Wednesday was also enlistment day on Pulau Tekong for scores of enlistees. This year, guests were not allowed at the Singapore Armed Forces Basic Military Training Centre as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Traditionally, enlistees’ parents are shown around the island, including visiting their children’s bunks at BMTC before sharing a meal with them in the cookhouse.
SINGAPORE: Struggling retailers and food and beverage (F&B) operators are calling for a temporary change in how retail rents are calculated, as an “unprecedented” COVID-19 outbreak takes an increasing toll on their businesses.
Currently, most retail leases are structured around a minimum fixed charge called base rent, with a small component based on a tenant’s gross turnover or total sales generated.
With sales having dropped drastically, tenants are hoping that rent for the next few months can be pegged solely to their gross turnover instead, according to statements issued by industry associations in recent days.
Calls from tenants for a lifeline first emerged in February when COVID-19 started keeping tourists and locals away from public places, with businesses hoping for a cut in rents.
But in recent weeks as authorities ramped up public health measures, further chilling consumer spending, retailers and F&B operators say more needs to be done.
STRICTER SAFE DISTANCING RULES SIMILAR TO “LOCKDOWN”
The Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) likened the stricter safe distancing rules, which require shopping malls to put in place crowd-limiting measures, to a “lockdown situation” that will have a majority of retailers seeing “zero sales”.
“And yet our fixed costs of rental, manpower (and) utilities are still payable – all resulting in even greater costs and losses for retailers,” it added in a Facebook post.
To avoid “massive permanent store closures and loss of jobs within the next three months”, the industry group wants leases to be no more than 15 per cent of a tenant’s gross turnover for six months or for the base rent to be halved, whichever is lower.
SRA also suggested landlords to allow businesses “who cannot sustain anymore to exit” before their lease expires, without losing their security deposits or risk of legal action.
“SRA is calling out to landlords once again to help retailers overcome this unprecedented crisis with unprecedented rental relief measures,” it said, noting that its suggestions are “in the spirit of a fair symbiotic relationship” between mall owners and tenants.
These proposals were echoed by an informal group of retailers that have banded together in recent weeks to rally for help.
View of a Japanese restaurant at PLQ Mall that has implemented safe distancing measures, Mar 22, 2020. (Photo: Chew Hui Min)
Called the SG Tenants United for Fairness, they said businesses have been in “severe crisis” since Singapore reported its first confirmed case on Jan 23, and the situation has become dire amid “ever-tightening” distancing measures.
“We have worked out that the Government Budget measures announced so far, together with the small and the scattered mall owner measures, will only help cover for businesses losses incurred in February and March,” the grouping said over the weekend, while urging landlords to pass on the expanded property tax rebates under the Resilience Budget to tenants “without delay and with no conditions attached”.
As part of the S$48 billion supplementary Budget announced last week, qualifying commercial properties that have been badly impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic will pay no property tax this year – a major step-up from the initial 15 to 30 per cent property tax rebate announced in Budget 2020 last month.
The Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) urged landlords to translate these expanded rebates into savings for tenants “with urgency”.
It said it will continue talks with landlords and has requested for rent to be based on gross turnover alone for the next six months. Previously, RAS was calling for a 50 per cent rental rebate for three months.
When contacted, Frasers Property Retail said it is “cognisant” of the challenges faced by its tenants and will continue working closely with them to “overcome this trying period”.
It said it has rolled out additional rental rebates amounting to S$45 million on Mar 27 for tenants across its 14 malls in Singapore. Tenants will also receive the full property tax rebates from the Resilience Budget, while cash security deposits will be released to offset one month’s worth of rental payments.
“While we ensure every one of our tenants is supported, these measures are prioritised by individual needs and circumstance,” said the spokesperson.
CapitaLand also said that it has announced additional rental rebates, in addition to support measures announced last month.
“Effectively, tenants most affected by COVID-19, including those in the F&B and fashion trades, will have their rents waived for two months from April to May 2020,” said the spokesperson in an emailed reply.
CapitaLand, Singapore’s largest mall operator, will also suspend the rents of tenants that have been ordered by the Ministry of Health to close from Mar 26 to at least Apr 30, it added.
APM Property Management’s deputy chairman Anthony Yip said in an email: “We understand that this is a very difficult time for our tenants.
“We are providing them with a second tranche of rental assistance and also pass through the full savings of the property tax rebates to all tenants as announced last Friday.”
CNA has reached out to the other mall landlords, including City Developments, Lendlease and the operator of Paya Lebar Square, for comment regarding the latest requests from retail and F&B tenants.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Wednesday that the Government is prepared to take legislative action when necessary to ensure that the property tax rebates granted to commercial landlords are passed on to their tenants during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I want to urge the landlords to not only pass on these rebates but to take care of the tenants,” he said.
It was also announced on Wednesday that businesses unable to pay rent will be protected under a new Bill, which will be introduced in Parliament next week to provide temporary relief against their contractual obligations amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
For example, even if a restaurant was unable to foot their rent in February and March, the landlord cannot evict them, repossess their premises, or sue them.
SINGAPORE: On Wednesday (Apr 1), a large makeshift parking lot in Selarang Camp became an unlikely scene for goodbyes.
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen wearing luminous vests hurried around stationary cars carrying “thermometer guns” to check passengers as they alighted.
For some of those alighting, it was the first day of their two-year, full-time national service. These Singaporean sons would soon be bussed then ferried to the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) on Pulau Tekong. Typically, their families came with them, took a tour of the camp and sat with them for a meal.
A Singapore Armed Forces enlistee poses for one last photo with his parents at Selarang Camp. As part of enhanced measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, guests are not invited to Pulau Tekong on enlistment day. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
But like with almost every other aspect of life in Singapore, the outbreak of COVID-19 has turned enlistment day into a sterile affair.
At the parking lot, some parents hugged their sons while others made do with a quick chat and a wave. Then, they turned back to their cars and their sons disappeared into the camp.
SAF has barred guests on enlistment day to prevent large crowds as part of its stepped up measures against the spread of the coronavirus.
BMTC will also enlist smaller batches of recruits at one time, operate buses and ferries at a reduced capacity, and conduct training in smaller groups.
BMTC School 1 Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Dennis Oh, who is responsible for recruits’ safety, said BMT has to go on with these enhanced measures.
“BMT enlistment is crucial for the build-up of operational units,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “To the public, especially the parents, I just want to assure that the welfare as well as the well-being of our soldiers are our top priority.”
PARENTS LEAVE EARLIER
Freelance artist Jennifar Sy, 56, said she was worried about her son enlisting during COVID-19 and asked him to take extra care in camp.
“I asked him to bring sanitisers and masks,” she said with a laugh. “I think they will do everything to keep our children safe.”
Ms Jennifar Sy saying goodbye to her son. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
Ms Sy said she would have preferred to visit Pulau Tekong with her son, but anticipated that this would happen after the number of guests was steadily reduced from four to two.
“I can accept it,” she said. “I told him to take care and SMS me whenever he has the time, tell me what’s going on there.”
Recruits on the bus to SAF Ferry Terminal. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
Traditionally, parents and their sons would report directly to the SAF ferry terminal in Changi to leave for Tekong together. Parents would go for a tour of BMTC, listen to a commander’s address and share a chicken cutlet meal with their sons.
Then the parents would crowd the parade square as their sons formed neat rows in the sun, waving to them and bidding farewell.
But on Monday, the parking lot was the farthest parents could go. There was no Western fare nor commander’s talk; they would get an electronic letter from him forwarded via WhatsApp that night.
Every step of the way, commanders told recruits to maintain a safe distance from each other, ushering them to waiting buses that could only be filled halfway. Some seats were blocked off with pieces of paper that said “do not occupy”.
Recruits queuing for food at the cookhouse. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
It was the same on the ferry, which only took 100 passengers instead of the usual 200. Recruits stretched their hands out for a blob of sanitiser before boarding.
Normally, the ferry trip would be a noisy one filled with the chatter of parents and sons. This time it was silent, as recruits watched a video of a young lady giving ferry safety tips, then an old clip of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew stressing the importance of defending Singapore.
SMALLER GROUPS
On Pulau Tekong, the recruits were registered before entering a large auditorium to take their oaths – a solemn occasion where they pledge to protect the county with their lives.
The auditorium would usually be packed, with parents surrounding their sons as they stood and raised their right palms. The parents would also stand, eager to take a video or two.
Recruits participating in the oath-taking ceremony. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
Now, the auditorium was occupied only in the middle, with 40 recruits – down from the usual 100 to 150 – standing in alternate rows. Parents would be sent a video of the ceremony.
Recruits then went for lunch at staggered meal times before checking their equipment at the training shed – one person to a table compared to the previous two.
Over the next few weeks, recruits would participate in physical activities like group runs and the individual physical proficiency test at the section level of 16 soldiers, down from the usual platoon of 64 soldiers.
Lessons on rifle technical handling and giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation will be uploaded online, so recruits don’t need to gather in large groups. Likewise, practical sessions are conducted in smaller groups with no physical contact.
TRAINING RIGOUR INTACT
Despite the measures, LTC Oh said training intensity remains the same as it still proceeds as usual albeit in smaller groups.
“Our objectives as well as standards are not compromised in any way,” he said. “These enhanced measures are important and necessary for us to ensure the operational readiness of SAF, and at the same time, also to safeguard the well-being of our soldiers.”
Still, BMTC Commander Colonel Pang Lead Shuan had said on Monday that the enhanced measures could “dilute the NS experience”.
BMTC has also called off large social gatherings like the recruits’ night – usually to celebrate the tail end of their stint on the island – and reduced the number of guests at their graduation parade, a milestone for any full-time national serviceman.
Recruits going through the items issued to them. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
“There will be some inconvenience,” LTC Oh said.
“But as we are a national institution, my ground commanders lead by example. And we endeavour to continue to ensure a meaningful and memorable experience for all recruits that come through BMT.”
SINGAPORE: Condominiums are closing facilities to reduce gatherings of people amid the COVID-19 pandemic, although some residents are questioning the move given that in some locations a number of amenities remain open.
Some condominiums have suspended bookings in function rooms and barbeque pits, but have left their pools open with reminders on limiting gatherings to 10 people and maintaining a safe distance from one another.
Others have either closed all facilities without exception or decided to keep them open, albeit with restrictions.
The measures come as several condominium residents have contracted COVID-19. On Monday (Mar 30), the Ministry of Health confirmed seven cases linked to a new cluster at Wilby Residences, a block of serviced apartments in Bukit Timah.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) told CNA that condo management corporations (MCST) “must do their part” to support the implementation of Government guidelines in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission within their estates.
This includes suspending the use of common facilities to complement efforts on safe distancing, which the authority said is allowed under a by-law prohibiting residents and guests from committing acts “that will likely create a hazard” for other residents.
“Acts that will increase the risk of further local transmission of COVID-19 are clearly hazards to public health, and subsidiary proprietors and occupiers must refrain from such acts,” it added.
“As a form of good practice, MCSTs should issue circulars to inform residents of decisions to close any common facilities.”
VARYING MEASURES
Evergreen Park in Hougang has closed its gym, function room and BBQ pits until Apr 30, and has limited the reading room to two people “strictly for reading purposes and no mingling or playing games”.
However, the swimming pool, tennis court and playground will remain open. “Residents are advised to observe the safe distancing measures and limit gatherings to 10 and fewer persons to avoid overcrowding,” said a circular to residents on Mar 26.
One resident, who only wanted to be known as Mr Lo, said he had booked a BBQ pit in February for a birthday celebration on Apr 9, and was recently “frustrated” to find out it had been cancelled.
“This gathering is something that I have been planning for some time, and I scaled down the gathering to meet the 10-person limit,” the 25-year-old student said. “I feel that if residents follow the 10-person limit, gatherings should still be allowed.”
In any case, Mr Lo said residents’ maintenance fees should be adjusted as maintenance costs would have gone down due to the “absence of bookings”.
BCA said MCSTs are required to set aside sufficient funds “to carry out their duties” despite the closure of common facilities during this period. These duties include the maintenance of facilities.
CHILDREN’S POOL CLOSED, ADULT POOL OPEN
At Casa Merah in Tanah Merah, management has closed the gym, children’s playroom and children’s pool until further notice, although barbecue pits, function rooms and the adult pool remain open.
“We advise all residents to practise good personal hygiene and be socially responsible to the people around us,” said a circular to residents on Mar 21.
One resident, who only wanted to be known as Ms Lim, said the adult pool was crowded when she visited on Sunday, and that many in the pool were parents with young kids.
“I was quite shocked,” said the 25-year-old who works in advertising, adding that the children’s pool closure was “useless” if the adult pool was open.
As for Principal Garden in Alexandra, a member of staff at the management office told CNA that all facilities remain open, although it will ensure bookings at function rooms and BBQ pits are limited to 10 people or fewer.
One resident, who only gave her name as Ms Juliana, wrote to CNA to say she’s seen residents inviting their friends over for BBQ, late-night drinks and gatherings by the pool.
She also sent a picture that showed eight people sitting close to each other in a mini pool. “Many people are ignoring the Singapore Government’s pleas on social distancing,” she added.
Q Bay Residences in Tampines has closed the function room, BBQ pavilions, gym and playground, although the swimming pool and multi-purpose court remain open.
“All the booking fees and deposits that have already been paid will be refunded to the affected residents,” said a circular to residents on Mar 27.
“We also strongly advise residents to practise social distancing being 1m apart and gathering of no more than 10 people at one time.”
Despite that, resident Irfan Suhairi, 26, said management has not blocked off the playground and BBQ pavilions, adding that he’s still seeing children at the playground in the evening and small groups of people at the pavilions.
But the recent polytechnic graduate feels there is no need to seal them off as bookings have been suspended, with posters in lifts reminding residents not to gather closely and in large groups.
Nevertheless, he believes signs should be put up at these areas as a further reminder.
ALL FACILITIES CLOSED
Terrasse in Hougang decided not to take any chances after it confirmed on Mar 22 that a resident had contracted COVID-19.
“As a safeguard, the managing agent will take immediate steps to disinfect the common areas and surfaces” of the affected block, the management committee said in a circular. “We are also stepping up cleaning and disinfection of as part of this routine cleaning.”
It also encouraged residents to monitor their temperature and seek immediate medical assistance if unwell, wash their hands after using lift buttons, handles and railings, as well as practise social distancing “as far as possible”.
The children’s water play area at Terrasse has been sealed off.
In a subsequent circular on Mar 26, the committee said it would close all common facilities until Apr 30. This includes the outdoor decks, reading room and entertainment room.
The committee said the move was in line with the Government’s tighter measures to reduce the risk of local COVID-19 transmission.
“Residents who have paid for facilities could contact the management office for an endorsement to use the booking at a later date or obtain a refund,” it added.
“Residents are requested not to gather around the common areas of the estate and to adhere to the safe distance recommendations of being 1m apart between persons.”
BCA said it seeks the support of all condominium residents to work together with MCSTs in the fight against COVID-19.
“We understand that the measures may be disruptive and require getting used to,” it added.
“However, we trust that the MCSTs have the residents’ safety and well-being at heart, and are doing this to protect … their families and friends, and the general public.”
SINGAPORE: Instead of donning his uniform to go to school on Wednesday (Apr 1) morning, Primary 5 student Danial Rizan completed his four hours of English, Mathematics, Science and Malay classes at home.
With Wednesday marking the first day of home-based learning for primary school students, most of them completed their assignments and learnt from home, working on hardcopy worksheets or online assignments on the Student Learning Space (SLS).
While he had some difficulties logging in and getting the audio for the video lessons to work, Danial said his experience with home-based learning has been smooth so far.
“The difference is in school, the teacher will guide us if we don’t know. We ask the teacher and the teacher will show us the answer,” said Danial.
“At home, we have nobody to ask. If our parents are (around), we may ask them for help,” said the 10-year-old Innova Primary School student.
Luckily, Danial’s mother is often around as she works from home. He said he consults her when he encounters topics not yet covered in school.
“She will sit beside me, but she will not tell me the answer. She will just explain this part, and then I will know (the answer) already,” he said.
Quizzes are the “fun part” of learning from home, said Danial, because he feels challenged to score better when he sees his friends’ scores.
Primary schools will carry out home-based learning on Wednesdays, secondary schools on Thursdays, while junior colleges and centralised institutes will conduct them on Friday.
On days where students are not on home-based learning, schools will stagger dismissal times to “reduce the transient congestion of students”, said MOE.
Making the announcement on Friday, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung stressed that schools are not closing, but the new system will allow Singaporeans to “get used” to the idea of home-based learning and allow the ministry to expand the new system to more days, if necessary.
“Schools are not closing,” Mr Ong had told reporters on Friday.
“But what we have been working on is to prepare for some introduction of home-based learning.
“As the crisis develops, you will find that you have more arsenal, more measures to respond to as opposed to a sudden drastic change that will get everyone panicked, which is what we always want to avoid,” he added.
“TEETHING ISSUES” FACED, PARENTAL SUPPORT HELPFUL
For his home-based learning on Wednesday, Danial’s mother, Mdm Masliza Ismail received a schedule from the school with the designated hours for each subject and a summary of the homework assigned.
While students are given a week to complete the assignments and do not have to follow the timings strictly, Mdm Masliza said the schedule also helps Danial complete his work on time.
“He prefers to follow the timing because the earlier he finishes, the earlier he can rest. The timing will be like school, if he follows the hours,” she added.
“At home, at least they are free and easy but still learning. It’s just a different way.”
Being at home makes it easier for her to supervise or support Danial while he is learning, said Mdm Masliza, adding that working parents may face additional problems if their child needs help with the computer while they are at work.
When Danial was in lower primary, she was still working in an office and would bring him to the office on home-based learning days. At the time, she found that she was unable to concentrate at work because he would face login issues or have difficulties with the assignments.
She also said that starting with one day of home-based learning a week was a “good idea”, giving working parents time to make alternative arrangements before the programme was expanded.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung noted “teething issues” when he visited Sembawang Primary School. About 20 students were present because their parents had to work or because they had no WiFi at home.
“Got feedback that some students at home also had problems logging into Student Learning Space (SLS),” he wrote. “Please bear with us as we iron out the tech glitches.”
Teachers also put in extra hours for home-based learning and there is “a lot of adjustment to be done”.
“It’s not easy and it’s not perfect, but we are tapping on our collective efforts to get this to work during such exceptional times,” said Mr Ong.
LEARNING FROM HOME AT SCHOOL
When CNA visited Innova Primary School on Wednesday, 39 students across lower and upper primary levels were in school to work on the same assignments as their level peers at home. Students were grouped in different classrooms according to level, with one row of tables between them for safe distancing.
About 80 students were given the option to come back to school for home-based learning, based on the knowledge that they did not have alternative care arrangements, access to WiFi at home or that they required additional help academically, said vice-principal Stephen Lau.
Innova Primary School students completing home-based learning assignments in school. (Photo: Ang Hwee Min)
Like Danial, some of them encountered issues logging on to SLS, but received help from teachers who were in the classrooms to guide students through the assignments. Other teachers remained at home to log students’ attendance, temperatures and monitor the students’ progress on the online modules.
For students who fail to log on to SLS, teachers will call their homes to check on them, said Mr Lau. Parents can also call the school to ask for IT support or help in explaining certain concepts to their children.
“Some students were not able to log in at the stipulated time. However, we have contingency in place – the students were also given written assignments to do.”
Mr Lau added that on Wednesday, the SLS system was down for “less than half hour” and the issue was resolved shortly after.
Schools did not have to start planning for home-based learning “from scratch” because it had been implemented before.
For example, home-based learning is implemented for the other levels during PSLE oral or on PSLE marking days, said Mr Lau, adding that parents are “familiar with the process”.
Students would receive a simplified timetable, with only four subjects – English, Mathematics, Mother Tongue and Science. According to Mr Lau, online and offline tasks are allocated two hours each.
Teachers can come up with different formats for home-based learning, including video lessons or online quizzes, said Mr Lau, adding that the school did not scramble to plan for the new measures announced on Friday.
“We plan for continuity, that means the scheme of work is still being followed. As far as possible, home-based learning will be a continuation of where the teacher left off,” he said.
Having a safe learning environment with curated resources is “very important”, said Ms Farlinah Supaah, head of the English department at Innova Primary. This would enable students to find the answers to their questions within the SLS, rather than go online or on social media to look for them.
“The children are not worried that they cannot do (the assignments). In fact, they like to see their responses posted up,” she said.
“I feel that I get more responses online because everybody is required to respond, versus in a face-to-face classroom where you have a limited amount of time to capture everyone’s learning. The responses from even our quieter students are captured.”
Having online lessons also allows children to build on each other’s ideas more seamlessly, said Ms Farlinah.
“Students can read someone else’s opinions and see if they can improve their own.”
