General

General Exemption

1. What should I do if I have not received an exemption? Am I allowed to continue operations?

Please suspend your business operations until you have received the official email notification of approval.

If there are conditions imposed on the approval of your general exemption, these conditions will be indicated in your official email notification of approval. Alternatively, you may login to https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/exemptions to check your exemption application for any conditions to your approval.

You will be allowed to continue operations if the status of your general exemption is reflected as either “approved” or “permitted”.

2. The website reflects that my exemption application is still processing. What should I do?

Your application is being processed. Please check back on your application status in the next 2 to 3 days. You will also receive an official email notification to inform you if your application is approved or rejected.

Please suspend your business operations until you have received the official email notification of approval.

3. The website reflects that my exemption application is “approved”. What should I do?

Please proceed to declare your manpower details here. Please note that you are still subjected to a manpower quota as your company is not in the list of permitted services.

4. I am unable to find the status of my application for General Exemption on covid.gobusiness.gov.sg. What should I do?

Please allow at least 2-3 days for your application to be processed.

If you are still unable to view your application status after 3 days, please write to Covid_GoBusiness@mti.gov.sg with your company name, UEN and the reference number for your application.

5. I am self employed / own a business with multiple entities. Do I need to submit my applications individually or will one application cover all my businesses?

You will need to submit one application for each registered business. One application per UEN number.

6. I have an approved General Exemption application. Is there any change to the approval granted to operate my business?

There may be conditions imposed on your approval. You should login to https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/exemptions to check your exemption application for any conditions to your approval.

7. I am having problems logging into Corppass. Who can I approach for help?

You can contact the Corppass Helpdesk at 6643-0577 or email support@corppass.gov.sg.

Safe Distancing Ambassadors

8. How do we identify Safe Distancing Ambassadors from ESG and STB?

Safe Distancing Ambassadors from ESG and STB will be wearing a lanyard and a red polo shirt with the words “Safe Distancing Ambassador” on the back.

9. I do not agree with the decision of the Safe Distancing Ambassador. What is my recourse?

The decision of the SDA / enforcement officers is final. Verbal warnings will be issued and if businesses continue to flout the rules, stricter enforcement measures including fines and suspension of operations will be imposed.

10. How do we verify the identity of Enforcement Officers? What do they do? Are we required to pay fines on the spot?

Enforcement officers from various agencies including the Singapore Police Force, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board and Land Transport Authority, are issued a letter of appointment by the Ministry of Health. They are deployed to enforce safe distancing measures and control order regulations, by conducting compliance inspections during the “circuit breaker” period.

These officers can issue offenders (businesses or individuals) a Notice of Offence, which include the composition fine amount and details of the offence. Offenders will not be asked to pay their fines on the spot. These officers can also issue warning letters to individuals.

11. I am issued a fine and/or a suspension of operations. How do I make an appeal?

The decision of the Enforcement Officers is final. In particular, the Enforcement Officers’ decision and any accompanying relevant authorities’ stop orders shall supersede the exemption from suspension of activities issued. You are reminded to pay the composition sum by the date indicated in the Notice of Offence and refrain from committing any further offences to comply with the law at all times.

12. I am issued a fine. How do I make payment?

You can refer to the Notice of Offence issued to you for information on the payment mode. Enforcement officers will not collect fines on the spot, from individuals and businesses who have contravened these rules. The penalties for breaches will be issued to individuals or businesses in the form of composition letters, which will state the relevant follow up actions required.