Singapore rolls out 640 million support package for businesses

Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Singapore (VNA) - Singapore will be rolling out a 640 million SGD (476.5 million USD) support package for businesses affected by extended COVID-19 restrictions in the city-state. 

Businesses eligible for the support include F&B, retail, cinemas, museums and art galleries, family entertainment, tourism, gyms and fitness studios, and performing arts and arts education.

The government will use 25 percent of the package to provide wage support under the Jobs Support Scheme, while companies renting government-owned commercial properties will be given a two-week rental waiver. Eligible tenants of privately-owned commercial properties will also be given a half-month rental relief cash payout under the Rental Support Scheme.

Hawkers and market stallholders in centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA), or under operators appointed by NEA will also receive a half-month rental waiver.

In addition, the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund will be expanded to support taxi and private hire car drivers. They will receive payments of 10 SGD per vehicle a day in November and 5 SGD per vehicle a day in December. An estimated 50,000 drivers will benefit from the support.

Singapore has extended the current pandemic prevention measures to November 21./.

VNA