Resumption of operations

1. How long will Phase Two last for?

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation closely, with the aim of continuing to ease measures in a gradual and calibrated manner, until we reach a new normal in Phase Three. Phase Three is the state in which we expect to remain until an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is developed.

Over the course of Phase Two, some higher risk activities and settings that remain closed at the start of Phase Two will gradually be allowed to open, when they are able to implement adequate safe management measures. Prevailing limits on gathering sizes may also be relaxed in a gradual manner.

2. How do I know if my company is allowed to resume operations?

The lists of businesses (and the corresponding Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes) that may operate from 2 June 2020 (Phase One) and 19 June 2020 (Phase Two) can be found here respectively. Businesses in these lists do not need to apply to MTI for exemption before resuming operations. They are required to submit the number of workers who are working on-site using the GoBusiness portal within two weeks of the date of resumption of operations.

If you cannot recall your company’s primary SSIC code or are unsure of the classification of your business activity, you can visit BizFile+ and login with your CorpPass to retrieve your primary SSIC code. Thereafter, you can check this against the list of permitted services.

3. How did MTI decide which companies should resume operations?

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced on 19 May that we will exit the Circuit Breaker and resume activities in a phased manner from 2 June to minimise the risk of a resurgence in COVID-19 community transmission. In Phase One starting from 2 June, the MTF gradually allowed more workers to return to work, starting with businesses that operate in settings with lower transmission risks, or that do not require interactions with large groups of people. In Phase Two starting from 19 June, we will allow the resumption of a broad range of activities, including the reopening of physical outlets of retail businesses, as well as the resumption of food and beverage dine-in, personal health and wellness, and home-based services.

Before resuming activities, businesses must comply with the requirements for Safe Management Measures and any sector-specific requirements which apply to them.

4. If my business activities are not listed in the permitted services list, can I apply for an exemption to resume business activities?

Businesses should suspend operations in their premises from 7 April 2020 onwards until they are approved by MTI to continue operations or their list of business activity falls within the permitted list allowed to operate from 2 June 2020.

If employees have to be activated to return to the workplace for short periods of time (i.e. less than a day), employers are required to apply to MTI for a time-limited exemption to do so via here. If employers need to maintain a skeletal workforce at the workplace for longer periods, an application for a general exemption should be submitted instead via through here.

5. I had previously received an approval of my General Exemption but my companies’ activities are not listed in the permitted services list. Will I be able to continue operations? Can our employees who are currently working from home return to the workplace?

Companies operating under a General Exemption must submit an application for additional manpower via the GoBusiness portal, to allow more employees to return to the workplace.

Please note that for employees whose jobs can be performed from home, employers must ensure that they continue to do so for at least half their working time, measured over a reasonable period of time not exceeding four weeks. In addition, no more than half of employees who are able to work-from-home are allowed to be at the workplace at any point in time.

6. I had previously received an email notification that my exemption had been rescinded, but my company falls under the list of permitted services. Will I be able to resume operations?

Yes. If your company’s activities are listed in the list of permitted services, you will be allowed to resume operations. If your company has other business functions or services that do not belong to the list of permitted services, these other business functions or services should remain suspended until further notice.

7. My company’s activities do not belong to the list of permitted services, but we support a permitted service that is listed. What should I do? Can I appeal?

If your company needs to support a permitted service please submit an application for a General Exemption or a Time-Limited Exemption through https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg.

You will only be permitted to operate when your General Exemption or Time-Limited Exemption is approved.

8. Are there any requirements that I need to fulfil before I can resume operations?

All businesses that are resuming operations must fulfil stringent safe management measures, as well as comply with any sector specific requirements relevant to their business, before resuming operations. Please refer to these requirements here.

Businesses that belong to the list of permitted services must declare their number of workers who are working onsite using the GoBusiness portal within 2 weeks of the date of resumption of operations.

Businesses which receive a General Exemption approval to resume operations must declare their number of workers who are working onsite within 2 days of the commencement of operations.

9. If my company’s activities belong to the list of permitted services, will I be able to operate all my business functions?

If your company has other business functions or services that are not in the list of permitted services, these other business functions or services should remain suspended until further notice.

10. I operate multiple business activities and have more than one Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code tagged to my business. Which code should I refer to?

You should refer to the SSIC code for your primary business activity and check it against the list of permitted services that can resume operations here.

11. I have more than one Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code tagged to my business. If my primary activity does not fall under the list of permitted services, but my secondary activity falls under the list of permitted services, will I still be allowed to resume operations?

No. You may resume operations only if the SSIC code for your primary business activity falls within the list of permitted services that can resume operations. However, if you intend to only carry out the secondary activity (and not the primary activity) which falls within the list of permitted services, you may submit an application for General Exemption here.

12. My company is carrying out the activity as listed in the list of permitted services. However, my SSIC code does not fall under the listed code on the website. Will I still be allowed to resume operations?

You will need to submit an application for General Exemption here and receive approval from MTI before resuming operations.

13. I am a freelancer and do not have a Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code. How do I know if I can resume service?

Freelancers have to be registered with ACRA, unless the business is carried out in your full name as reflected in your NRIC.

If the business is carried out in your full name as reflected in your NRIC, you can include a description of your business and click here to search for the SSIC code which corresponds to the nature of your business activity. Once you have retrieved your SSIC code, please check it against the list of permitted services that can resume operations here.

14. I am running a society/organisation which does not require me to be registered with ACRA. How can I check whether I can resume activities?

All membership organisations which are registered with the Registry of Societies are allowed to resume their onsite activities, subject to the implementation of safe management measures and any sector specific requirements relevant to their activities, before resuming operations. Please refer to these requirements here.

15. What is the penalty if my company is found operating when we are not allowed to do so?

Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, first-time offenders found operating will face a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both.

16. I have checked the list of permitted services against my primary SSIC code and I am sure I am allowed to resume operations. Why is my business resumption status not reflected as “permitted”?

If your primary SSIC code falls into the list of permitted services and you have not changed your primary SSIC code recently, please write to covid_gobusiness@mti.gov.sg for assistance.

17. What if my business activities do not fall under what is stated as permitted services for the SSIC code of my company’s primary business activity?

Your company may resume the business activities that fall within the list of permitted services.

If your company’s business activities do not fall within the permitted services for the SSIC code of your company’s primary business activity, these activities should remain suspended until further notice. You will need to apply for a General Exemption.

18. I checked my exemption/resumption status and there is now a “period” specified next to my permitted “status”. What does this mean? Can I continue operating?

If your exemption/resumption status is reflected as “permitted from (date)”, you will only be allowed to resume operations from the specified date. If your exemption/resumption status is reflected as just “permitted”, you are already allowed to continue your operations.