Singapore morning news for June 1, 2020

No workplace gatherings, socialising among employees when office operations resume after COVID-19 circuit breaker: MOM
Employees should not socialise during or outside working hours, even when office operations resume during Phase 1 of Singapore’s reopening following the end of the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

New measures for foreign workers resuming work
Staggered pick-up and drop-off times along with enhanced contact tracing measures were among a list of requirements that employers and dormitory operators have to fulfill before their foreign workers can return to work after June 1, it was announced yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore reports 518 new COVID-19 cases
Singapore reported 518 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Sunday (May 31), taking the country’s total number of infections to 34,884 .
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail Project to be suspended till 31 Dec 2020 for deliberations
The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) Project will be deferred for another seven months for Malaysia to deliberate on proposed changes to the commercial and technical aspects of the project.
— The Online Citizen

Singapore, China to launch ‘fast lane’ arrangement with COVID-19 measures for essential business, official travel
Singapore and China have agreed to launch a fast lane arrangement in early June to facilitate essential travel for business and official purposes, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Friday (May 29).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

No ERP charges until at least June 28: LTA
ELECTRONIC Road Pricing (ERP) will continue to be suspended until June 28, even as Singapore embarks on the first phase of reopening its economy, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.
— The Business Times

Government u-turns again; Waiving the cost of swab tests for construction workers after implying that employers should pay
It has now been announced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) that the Government will waive the cost of swab tests for construction workers until August this year.
— The Online Citizen

Mosquitoes found breeding in ‘hidden’ containers placed in trees, says Hougang MP Png Eng Huat amid dengue concern
Member of Parliament for Hougang Png Eng Huat said on Friday (May 29) that mosquitoes were found breeding inside containers that were hidden in trees at a park in his constituency.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore in talks with Australia, South Korea on ‘green lanes’ for travel
Talks are under way with South Korea and Australia to establish green lanes for travel in the Covid-19 environment, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

National blood stocks down by a third as donations fall amid pandemic
National blood stocks have declined by a third during the Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore, though the blood bank has recovered from a sudden plunge in blood collection in the week of the circuit breaker implementation.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Implementation of new framework for taxi, ride-hailing companies pushed back to October
The implementation of a new regulatory framework for the taxi and private-hire car sectors will be delayed again to October, as operators have asked for more time to prepare their applications, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Friday (May 29).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Fewer fire incidents reported in first four months of this year
Firefighters responded to fewer incidents in the first four months of the year, thanks in part to the circuit breaker period that resulted in many workplaces being shut.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore secured S$13b in investment commitments in Jan-Apr 2020; exceeds EDB projection
SINGAPORE secured S$13 billion in investment commitments from January to April this year, already exceeding the Singapore Economic Development Board’s (EDB) full-year projection of S$8 billion to S$10 billion, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said in a media interview on Saturday.
— The Business Times

MSF-funded services to gradually resume from June 2; over 50,000 applications for Covid-19 Support Grant received
A range of social services funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), including day centres for those with disabilities and special student care centres, will reopen in phases from Tuesday (June 2).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Employers must let their foreign workers move to other dorms or work for other firms to get levy rebates: MOM
Employers here will have to let the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) move their foreign workers to different dormitories or work at another company in need of manpower, in order to get the foreign worker levy (FWL) rebates announced in last week’s Fortitude Budget.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Consumer loans dive in April as circuit breaker kicks in
CONSUMER loans in Singapore continued to dive in April, with credit card loans clocking their steepest fall on record as the Republic’s circuit breaker took effect on April 7, keeping people at home and most retail outlets shut, according to the latest data from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
— The Business Times

Schools preparing to reopen on June 2: How do you keep kids away from one another or make them wear masks?
How do you keep active five-and six-year-olds away from one another? Or ensure the masks they have to wear stay on?
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

3 new inmates and nurse at Changi Prison tested positive for virus in past 2 months
Three inmates, who had been newly admitted into prison, and a staff nurse working at the Changi Prison Complex had tested positive for Covid-19 in the past two months.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

COVID-19: Former Qiaonan Primary School site in Tampines housing healthy foreign workers in essential services
The former Qiaonan Primary School site has been refurbished to house foreign workers in essential services, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said on Friday (May 29).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Covid-19 cases visited food centres, supermarket outlets
Several supermarket outlets and food centres were added to a list of places visited by Covid-19 patients before they were tested.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Muis reiterates integrity of halal certification process following allegations
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has said that it has not been approached by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in connection with any investigations, refuting allegations published in different foreign media.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Expats share how MOM continues to issue work pass for foreign PMETs to work in SG amidst COVID-19 crisis
A check on a popular online expat forum shows that the Manpower Ministry (MOM) continues to issue work passes for foreign PMETs to work in Singapore amidst the current COVID-19 crisis.
— The Online Citizen

Robertson Quay breaches: Seven to be charged with flouting rules
Six men and a woman, aged between 30 and 52, will be charged in court on Tuesday for flouting circuit breaker regulations.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore Ambassador to the US defends Singapore’s handling of COVID-19 outbreak among migrants
Singapore’s response to COVID-19 is guided by science and the nation’s best understanding of the disease, said Singapore’s Ambassador to the United States Ashok Mirpuri in a letter dated 21 May to the editor of American news publication Foreign Policy published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
— The Online Citizen

Police investigating falsified documents in COVID-19 Support Grant applications: Desmond Lee
The police are investigating falsified documents submitted in applications for the COVID-19 Support Grant, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee in a Facebook post on Sunday.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Graduates can apply for over 11,000 traineeships from today
Graduates will be able to apply for traineeships under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme from today, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said on Facebook yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

The Big Read: Life after circuit breaker – retail, entertainment and leisure won’t be the same again
As Singapore begins to lift restrictions, businesses in the retail, entertainment and leisure sectors are already preparing to attract customers back by tweaking or changing their modus operandi.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

It’s hair-raising and spine-chilling that our Trade and Industry Minister thinks that cotton comes from sheep
The Trade and Industry Minister was trying to make the point that Singapore cannot survive without international trade.
— The Online Citizen

Announcement on F1 race to be made this week
The fate of the Formula One race in Singapore this year will be made known soon.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Firms step up safety measures as more employees head back to work
With more employees heading back to on-site work this week, companies are taking steps to prevent exposure to the virus both within and outside the office.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Chan Chun Sing: ELD cannot “prematurely” announce rules and regulations of next GE
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing has said that the Elections Department (ELD) cannot “prematurely” announce the rules and regulations relating to the next General Election as these may be “overtaken by events”.
— The Online Citizen

Why Singapore cannot cut down on foreign workers the way other countries have
Is Singapore prepared to have 2,500 babies born here every year grow up to be construction workers?
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

‘Survival kits’ to engage and inspire kids from needy families during circuit breaker
It started with an idea in April to help children from needy families pass the time at home during the circuit breaker period.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

More than half of Singaporeans use mobile contactless payment, according to Visa study
Mobile contactless payments are on the rise in Singapore with 56 per cent of consumers embracing this new way to pay, according to Visa’s Consumer Payment Attitudes Study.
— The Online Citizen

Most court cases will resume with caution after circuit breaker, but remote hearings remain: Chief Justice
Most court cases will resume on Jun 8, after about two months of suspended activity with only urgent and essential cases being heard.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

HDB to launch 7,800 BTO flats in August sales exercise, services and construction activities to resume
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will offer about 7,800 flats in its Build-To-Order (BTO) August 2020 sales exercise, it said in a press release on Friday (May 29), as Singapore readied itself to exit the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

New office to drive digitalisation nationwide and reach out to seniors, hawkers
1,000 digital ambassadors will be recruited by the end of June to help stallholders and seniors learn how to use digital tools.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Former PSP members file application to form new political party Red Dot United
Former members of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), Mr Ravi Philemon and Ms Michelle Lee, have filed an application to form a new political party named Red Dot United.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Going the extra mile to keep Gardens by the Bay neat and tidy during the COVID-19 circuit breaker
Gardens by the Bay horticulturist Irene Chong, 32, crouched as she snipped off stalk after stalk of cat’s whiskers plant. Then she stood to throw the stalks into a big white bag beside. Then she crouched again.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

The day food delivery services left tummies growling
In the middle of this month, many Singaporeans took part in the Hunger Games.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Malaysian boy lives alone in Singapore for months, so that he won’t miss school during the COVID-19 outbreak
Left without adult supervision owing to COVID-19, this 14-year-old has had to learn to cook, do housework and deal with homesickness just to continue attending school.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Commentary: COVID-19 has revealed a new disadvantaged group among us – digital outcasts
Instances from the ground reveal significant struggle in terms of digital literacy and skills, particularly among low-income households, the differently-abled, and seniors, says Nominated Member of Parliament Anthea Ong.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Businesses know they must play a waiting game after circuit breaker ends
For three years, Mr Dylan Ong, owner of The Masses restaurant, which is known for its Asian-inspired French cuisine, had resisted providing a delivery option for customers who wanted to eat at home or at work.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Covid-19 has stressed social fault lines in Singapore: Grace Fu
The Covid-19 outbreak has stressed Singapore’s social fault lines and increased tensions between foreigners and locals, Culture, Community and Youth Minister Grace Fu said at a dialogue on race yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Man arrested, suspected of redeeming more than 200 face masks from vending machines
A 32-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (May 28) after more than 200 Government-issued face masks were fraudulently redeemed from vending machines.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Coronavirus: Travel curbs see fewer trucks crossing Singapore-Malaysia border
These days, Malaysian lorry driver Muhammad Rizwan Muhammad sets off for Singapore at 7am and is able to make it back to his home in Johor Baru in time for lunch.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Government orders Facebook to disable Singapore users’ access to National Times Singapore Facebook page
Facebook has been ordered to disable Singapore users’ access to the National Times Singapore (NTS) Facebook page.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Commentary: The circuit breaker was a time many of us want to forget. Let’s make it count
As we exit the circuit breaker, the important lessons gleaned may help us better navigate the strange new world we are about to enter, says Annie Tan.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Beyond the 3 Rs: How can Singapore move forward on sustainability?
GETTING people to care about the environment is an uphill battle that advocates around the world have been fighting for a long time.
— The Business Times

Hyflux says deal with Utico has ‘ceased’; studying revised offer and pursuing other investor options
Hyflux’s high-profile debt restructuring seems to be hanging in the balance again after it said on Friday (May 29) that its S$400 million rescue deal with Middle Eastern suitor Utico has ceased2 with the lapsing of the long-stop date earlier this week.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

COVID-19: FairPrice Group, WhyQ launch zero-commission islandwide food delivery platform
FairPrice Group and food delivery start-up WhyQ have launched a new digital platform offering islandwide food delivery at zero commission to vendors, the companies announced on Friday (May 29).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Netizens disagree with government’s move to establish “travel bubbles”; say it’s too early
Singapore is in talks with several countries to establish a “travel bubble” to create safe travel arrangements to allow essential business travel to resume, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong in a press conference on Thursday (28 May).
— The Online Citizen

Singtel’s annual net profit down 65.3 per cent thanks to Bharti Airtel investment through CECA
Singtel reported yesterday (28 May) that it has posted a 25.7 per cent fall in net profit to $574.4 million for its fourth quarter ended March 31, 2020, from $773 million a year ago.
— The Online Citizen

Roundup: Enterprise Singapore to launch digital initiative for mom-and-pop stores
Singapore’s heartland shops launch new initiatives to go digital Government agency Enterprise Singapore has joined hands with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IDMA) and the Heartland Enterprise Centre, Singapore (HECS), to launch an initiative to ‘digitise’ mom-and-pop stores in the city-state.
— e27

COVID-19: Retailers struggle amid uncertainties about reopening, recovery of sales
John Ng was hoping to use 2020 to get his new company StyleLab off the ground.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Endofotonics secures US$12M in Series B funding round led by Singapore Medical Group
Singapore-based early cancer detection startup Endofotonics has raised US$12 million in a new round of funding, the company announced today.
— e27

Woman arrested for driving without a licence, driving against the flow of traffic and other offences
A 21-year-old female driver has been arrested after she refused to stop when asked to do so by a police officer, proceeding to drive against the flow of traffic and almost colliding with several oncoming vehicles.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singaporean man divorces wife of 45 years over company she kept – cats
After being married 45 years, a retiree divorced his wife because of the cats she kept, one of which even urinated on his face.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

‘Every mosque has a great story to tell’: Documenting Singapore’s lost mosques
Located off Upper East Coast Road, Jalan Hajijah is a quiet road, the home to several condominiums and landed properties.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Feature photo Singapore Government
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo focuses on World Bicycle Day, June 3.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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About Singapore morning news.

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Singapore morning news for June 1 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on June 1, 2020
View all posts by Justhine De Guzman Uy →

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Justhine De Guzman Uy

Writer at AEC News Today

Justhine De Guzman Uy completed a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication at New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines in 2016

After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.