All about Covid-19 Discussion in Singapore (compiled)

[Guest breezy recovery...]

Covid-19-free foreign workers enjoy sea breeze on cruise ship docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Best way to recuperate: Copious amounts of fresh air and sunshine.

Belmont Lay| May 03, 11:17 PM

 

 

Some foreign workers in Singapore who have recovered from Covid-19 are given the best possible place to recuperate from their ailment: Copious amounts of fresh air and sunshine on board cruise ships docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

 

 

 

A video of the foreign workers' experience on board one of the two cruise ships set aside for those recuperating has made its way to Facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary accommodation

 

It was reported on May 1 that the foreign workers who have recovered will be temporarily housed on board SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Aquarius cruise ships operated by Genting Cruise Lines.

 

 

 

The two ships were chosen as their design enables 100 per cent external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to the cabins and on board public areas.

This ensures a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessel with no recirculation of air within the ship.

In a Facebook post on May 1, the Singapore Tourism Board said that the cruise ship SuperStar Gemini has started receiving foreign workers who have recovered from Covid-19.

The first workers boarded the ship on Apr. 29 from Marina Bay Cruise Centre, which is now equipped with sick bays and an isolation station.

The cruise ships are equipped with WiFi.

 

 

[Guest breezy recovery...]

I posted the full article, not good to just post snippets.

Whereas Mothership is not the most "trusted" media. 

 

Hopefully, the Foreign Workers don't get sea sick on the boats. ha ha. 

 

And I bet some would hope the cruise ships have a steam sauna..... ha ha

 

 

[Guest guest]

On 5/3/2020 at 10:53 AM, Singroc said:

Yes. I am also very concern with the combs, scissors, shaver, cutters which are used from one customer to another without cleaning and disinfecting them...

can covid infected to another person through this way?

[thickhead79]

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Health (MOH) has preliminarily confirmed 573 new Covid-19 cases as of Monday noon (May 4), taking the country's total count to 18,778.

Among these are five Singaporeans and permanent residents, while migrant workers living in dormitories continue to make up the bulk of the remaining cases.

More details will be released later on Monday, the ministry said.

[thickhead79]

3 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

Yup!5

it not a real 5

got to wait for tonight

 

yesterday local is 31 cases on local 

but pap reflect it as 15 cases

 

 

[Guest Guest]

26 minutes ago, Nightingale said:

Majority  of  Dorm  Operators  Flout  Licensing  Conditions  Each  Year,

says  Josephine  Teo

https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/majority-of-dorm-operators-flout-licensing-conditions-each-year-says-josephine-teo

 

 

And yet year after year still approve their license, isn’t it a joke?

[lonelyglobe]

These migrant workers were stuffed in a massive drum of the concrete mixer truck and were aiming to reach Lucknow in this disguise due to the lockdown. 

5 hours ago, Guest breezy recovery... said:

Covid-19-free foreign workers enjoy sea breeze on cruise ship docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Best way to recuperate: Copious amounts of fresh air and sunshine.

Belmont Lay| May 03, 11:17 PM

 

 

Some foreign workers in Singapore who have recovered from Covid-19 are given the best possible place to recuperate from their ailment: Copious amounts of fresh air and sunshine on board cruise ships docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre.

 

 

Pictures say a thousand of words. 

[jlone]

12 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

Sorry??? 

 

What can you expect from people who are full of arrogance?

'HUMILITY' is the greatest quality that man can have, and arrogance is undoubtedly the worst!

Maulana W Khan

[Guest Guest]

After decades of their notoriously stingy Singaporean social welfare, our government is now piggybacking on whatever that is given to us Singaporean, to give to foreigners as well. What's the point of holding on to a Singaporean citizenship now? 

 

Vote wisely, everyone. That's the ONLY thing left that we can do differently from the foreigners, now,. And looking at  how the all powerful party can even change the Constitution last time to have a walkover Presidential election, we may not even know if this right to vote will be our Singaporean privilege in the future. Vote wisely. 

 

COVID-19: Long-term visit pass holders will not be denied financial support, says Heng Swee Keat

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-long-term-visit-pass-holders-solidarity-payment-12699910?cid=fbcna&fbclid=IwAR2wGq8f2_Hp4E2K6dTpPplJrYr9Bs4YFHVeJlM0iIfdnLtx0rnkJHF7U1o

[jlone]

Arrogant n people who are full of pride will not apologise

[single42]

why are the 3 of them not wearing fast.. crybaby wong, jospehine teo & that fat guy!!?? special treatment ah..??

[jlone]

11 minutes ago, Guest Guest said:

walkover Presidential election,

Huh, another laughing stock!

Angmoh regard as ngmoh!

[jlone]

6 minutes ago, single42 said:

why are the 3 of them not wearing fast.. crybaby wong, jospehine teo & that fat guy!!?? special treatment ah..??

How to speak properly if masks are on, right?

[Guest Guest]

And who's footing the bills here in Singapore? After this COVID-19 episode here in Sg, we will only be attracting more foreign trash into Singapore who are here just to eyeball all the privileges given to them now.  We might as well open all our bank vaults for them to help themselves to. This is already a sinking ship.

 

COVID-19 tests made compulsory for all foreign workers in Malaysia

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-malaysia-foreign-workers-tests-compulsory-ismail-sabri-12700324#cxrecs_s

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has ordered all foreign workers in the country to undergo compulsory COVID-19 testing, with their employers footing the bill.

 

 

[Guest guest]

15 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

closed for the first time!!!!!!!! no more Gss! hurray 

 

Even have GSS also nothing much attractive promotion.

[singalion]

Parliament: Two-thirds of dorm operators flout licensing conditions each year, says Josephine Teo

SINGAPORE - Almost two-thirds of the 35 dormitory operators here are punished each year for breaching dormitory licensing conditions under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (Feda).

This adds up to about 20 operators, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said in Parliament on Monday (May 4). These 35 firms run the 43 purpose-built dormitories housing some 200,000 foreign workers.

Outside of large dormitories, an average of 1,200 employers a year have also been punished for providing unacceptable accommodation for their workers, said Mrs Teo, responding to questions from MPs, including Workers' Party MP Png Eng Huat (Hougang), who asked about the virus outbreak among foreign workers.

She told the House that accommodation standards for migrant workers have become better over the years, but acknowledged that further improvements could be made.

The living conditions in these large dormitories have been under scrutiny in recent weeks as the number of workers infected with Covid-19 rises.

"We will see how standards can be raised, but keep in mind there are also older dorms which perhaps might not have reached these standards yet," said Mrs Teo, after showing MPs pictures of living conditions in newer dormitories.

 

The minister said that when lapses are found, these must be rectified immediately. Dorm operators can be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to a year, or both for such offences.

-------------------

This doesn't come as a big surprise to me.

In other countries reporters would have asked the Minister, what she has done all these years and why are the findings only been spotted now? And if there had been lapses which were even discovered over the years, why was no earlier action taken.

Was there no contingency plan from the Ministry?

 

In Singapore they turn big scrutiny on small businesses, poor people, the usual commoners, load them with fines and punishment.

 

Has anybody been interested about the welfare of the Foreign Workers, whether the conditions has been right, whether laws had been applied?

As there are laws in place, someone must have turned a blind eye.

For sure there must have been inspectors visiting those dormitories and checking on the situation.

 

As usual, the next action is directed against the Employers. But didn't the Employers buy themselves free in sourcing out the duties to those dorm operators and facility provider companies? Going against the Employers but not against the profiteers of such dormitory facility providers will be seen as unfair.

 

Let's be honest, despite the laws in place, nobody had been interested into the accommodation situation of those Foreign Workers.

 

There is a line of hierarchy in government sectors. Checks and balances leads up to the top position.

If you earn salaries comparable to those in private big corporations, if something goes wrong, then what usually would happen... ?

[singalion]

I actually intended some weeks back to write about the dormitories.

 

In my personal view such housing of these huge numbers of Foreign Workers should not be left to the private sector.

 

For the future it should be some government authority that operates and runs the dormitories at a cost factor and covering the actual housing costs but a very very small profit to ensure future upgrading. It should not be for private people to profit from the Foreign Workers and their requirement of housing.

 

Most of the workers are building state infrastructure.

 

Sure there is always a risk if governments take over such jobs for overspending or other issues, but I don't think private facility companies can focus on appropriate situations as they would always look at means to suck out most money to make personal profits.

Such private companies will never handle the accommodation of the workers appropriately. They will always look at means to safe monies, reduce maintenance, place as much people as possible into the dorms, just to squeeze out big profits for their own pockets.

 

That is my personal view.

Singapore can do HDB, they surely can do a FWHDB.

 

I m not saying to accommodate these workers at luxury temples, but at appropriate conditions and at a reasonable price on cost basis of running the facilities.

[leo yok loo]

14 minutes ago, Nightingale said:

Heads should roll but this does not apply to those in white.  They have privileged immunity.

Is always others fault but not her fault.

Employers will find any means to more profit. She incharge of MOM, anything wrong she must answer and not act as a judge.

Useless ministry. 办事不力。

Edited May 4, 2020 by leo yok loo
Add on

[Guest guest]

1 minute ago, Since u r here said:

FROM the coming GE results, we shall we whose heads eventually will roll
 

 

Wear masks even don't have safe distancing also no need to scare so much?

[wilfgene]

6 minutes ago, singalion said:

I actually intended some weeks back to write about the dormitories.

This may come as a shock to you,

some of THEM come all the way here,

dreaming of housing THEIR entire family in a unit with equivalent living condition as the dorms here.

Including their 4 wives.

So as to look down on the Untouchables.

The CATCH is "Did anybody lie to them about the living standards here?"

 

[leo yok loo]

3 minutes ago, Nightingale said:

 

Not judge.  Princess.  No need to answer.  No need to apologise.

Then where is the accountability? Forget and forgive?

[leo yok loo]

2 minutes ago, Nightingale said:

What accountability?  Ownself check ownself.  Account to ownself.

If that is the case, 先帝的基业, 恐怕会毁于一旦。

[single42]

6 minutes ago, leo yok loo said:

If that is the case, 先帝的基业, 恐怕会毁于一旦。

 

WAH... KNOW THEN Y'ALL REALIZED... TOO LATE ALREADY

[single42]

on yahoo.com.. they mentioned:

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/covid-19-all-m-ps-now-required-to-wear-face-masks-in-parliament-060846663.html

 

why are some of the ministers not wearing masks leh...??

[leo yok loo]

6 minutes ago, single42 said:

on yahoo.com.. they mentioned:

 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/covid-19-all-m-ps-now-required-to-wear-face-masks-in-parliament-060846663.html

 

why are some of the ministers not wearing masks leh...??

They are wearing mask. Only smart people can see the mask. Like 皇帝的新衣。。sorry...joking.

Edited May 4, 2020 by leo yok loo
Add on

[Guest Guest]

 

42 minutes ago, leo yok loo said:

Is always others fault but not her fault.

Employers will find any means to more profit. She incharge of MOM, anything wrong she must answer and not act as a judge.

Useless ministry. 办事不力。

 

They all got this from 70% of the Singaporeans last time. 

[lonelyglobe]

sporean have already confirm there is no need for check and accountability when they cast their vote....anyway,  the opposition also quite weak perhaps due to just a few of them can't do much either... the media here is even "jialat", always ask standard questions to get a standard reply,  obviously the way they handle this is a big disaster and if it happen in other countries,  surely kena "jialat jialat" .

[jlone]

12 minutes ago, lonelyglobe said:

sporean have already confirm there is no need for check and accountability when they cast their vote....anyway,  the opposition also quite weak perhaps due to just a few of them can't do much either... the media here is even "jialat", always ask standard questions to get a standard reply,  obviously the way they handle this is a big disaster and if it happen in other countries,  surely kena "jialat jialat" .

As long as the few of the oppositions, like Dr Chee, Lim Tean Tan Cheng Bok n WP all get into parliament is enough. We do not want the whole arrogant gang to garner all the seats. If not will be worst. They will continue to do what they like n what they want without any accountability. Hope the 70%  of dafts will reduce a bit or more.

[lonelyglobe]

Another "xiao" one,  this CB really force all the "xiao" one to come out in full force.

[mate69]

Siaolang aplenty 

[Guest Sleepy]

The woman who referred to herself as a "sovereign" has been arrested by the Singapore police.

 

In a statement on Monday (May 4) evening, the police revealed that they arrested a 40-year-old Singaporean woman who allegedly assaulted a member of the public, caused public nuisance, and was not wearing a mask at Shunfu Mart on Sunday (May 3).

 

The woman will be charged in court on Tuesday (May 5).

 

 

 

https://mothership.sg/2020/05/sovereign-arrested/

 

Can sleep well liao...

[Guest KukuJ]

6 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

After decades of their notoriously stingy Singaporean social welfare, our government is now piggybacking on whatever that is given to us Singaporean, to give to foreigners as well. What's the point of holding on to a Singaporean citizenship now? 

 

Vote wisely, everyone. That's the ONLY thing left that we can do differently from the foreigners, now,. And looking at  how the all powerful party can even change the Constitution last time to have a walkover Presidential election, we may not even know if this right to vote will be our Singaporean privilege in the future. Vote wisely. 

 

COVID-19: Long-term visit pass holders will not be denied financial support, says Heng Swee Keat

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-long-term-visit-pass-holders-solidarity-payment-12699910?cid=fbcna&fbclid=IwAR2wGq8f2_Hp4E2K6dTpPplJrYr9Bs4YFHVeJlM0iIfdnLtx0rnkJHF7U1o

Errr. Because the foreign workers also pay taxes just like the locals? If you happen to ne a singaporean working overeas woildn't you also want for some assistance to be offered to you during these times? Dont be narrow minded and selfish lah. The foreign workers dont partake in your cpf, so dont worry - they arent entitled to housing, education or socialized healthcare subsidies like locals/PRs.

[lonelyglobe]

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zvideos/news/story20200504-1050693

 

What a brilliant answer.....have not come across any migrant workers askIng for an apology....so next time if u do or say something wrong and the other party did not ask for apology,  then don't need to say sorry,  a very good lesson learnt. 

[Guest Guest]

2 hours ago, Guest KukuJ said:

Errr. Because the foreign workers also pay taxes just like the locals? If you happen to ne a singaporean working overeas woildn't you also want for some assistance to be offered to you during these times? Dont be narrow minded and selfish lah. The foreign workers dont partake in your cpf, so dont worry - they arent entitled to housing, education or socialized healthcare subsidies like locals/PRs.

 

Are you sure they won't partake in my cpf? Where do you think all the financial support is coming from?

They may pay taxes, but our taxes is one of the lowest in the world.

And finally, we pay CPF, do foreigners pay CPF? 

[Guest Guest]

1 hour ago, lonelyglobe said:

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zvideos/news/story20200504-1050693

 

What a brilliant answer.....have not come across any migrant workers askIng for an apology....so next time if u do or say something wrong and the other party did not ask for apology,  then don't need to say sorry,  a very good lesson learnt. 

 

Shanmugam is right: Everyone should watch what they say. 

What people said in the past can always come back to haunt them in the future. 

 

 

 

[mith]

just a concern :

 

yesterday i went to northpoint singpost, and ntuc. essential errands.

 

entering the mall, my IC was scanned.

then entering singpost at 2nd level, my IC was scanned again.

lastly, entering ntuc in the basement, my IC was scanned again.

 

just 1.5 hr, my full data was collected by 3 different organisations!

 

should i be concerned? 

 

 

[mith]

5 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

Yes they are kiasuly stepping up on contract tracing,  too over.......this is the new NORM even after CB is all lifted, so get use to it the Sooner the better! i move out to a building to get some food and returned back to the building, we too have to scan and scan in and out! by the way, even Exit also have to click on Exit - cannot close the browser! silly right? the scan is link to Singpass , so those organisations cannot have fun with your personal data for a wrong reason

 

 

 

thanks bro, im not concern about the process. troublesome yes, MP lawrence wong hinted this might go on for a while even after CB lifted. 

 

my concern is so many organisations, enterprises, companies have these data, many are pte ltd, what if they have rouge officers/staff/employees, a leak will cause a lot of damage and inconvenience... even banks, and govt agencies, apparently with the best tech security system  have reported leaks and being hacked news.

[jlone]

39 minutes ago, Nightingale said:

 

 

Your question has been answered by the poster below.

 

 

Pot and pan, please do not call the kettle black! Ref: {newspaper cutting)

Edited May 5, 2020 by jlone

[leo yok loo]

10 hours ago, lonelyglobe said:

sporean have already confirm there is no need for check and accountability when they cast their vote....anyway,  the opposition also quite weak perhaps due to just a few of them can't do much either... the media here is even "jialat", always ask standard questions to get a standard reply,  obviously the way they handle this is a big disaster and if it happen in other countries,  surely kena "jialat jialat" .

That is why 158...

[leo yok loo]

11 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

 

They all got this from 70% of the Singaporeans last time. 

No wonder her ego is so high. Understand. Thanks.

[Guest Guest]

55 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

yes i know the AHPETC incident - dont evn need the poster to remind me, i can memorise each and every parliament debates esp when How PAP chase after or demand the opposition to.........
but i dont like to link a separate incident with this

when fighting case, i specifically looked at each case professionally.

What PAP has done to AHPETC is unreasonable too, but this is what All parties have to do , hit below the belt till the party has no chance to survive. which party will give a slightest chance to the others? This is not a charity! this is nothing unexpected.
Similarly Opp party should continue to demand for it just like how lee bee wah done it

 

When fighting cases, I also look at each case specifically and professionally. And then I ask the question if the same standards of moral values are being applied to all people. Just like how I am checking out your case, since you know PAP was unreasonable, did you also ask your white masters why they think WP was arrogant too? ARE YOU A HYPOCRITE? 

[jlone]

2 minutes ago, Larry said:

 

"But the foreign worker never ask for an apology," this was mentioned by the minister of manpower.

 

Let be honest, who dares to ask? You want to die faster & get kick out of Singapore immediately?

 

That was the most non-sensible reply by the minister.

The foreign workers dare not ask for an apology, but the all sinkies need an apology for putting us all living in fear n anxiety  at this moment for their wrong guidiance n the mess they have caused.  Money cannot buy everything! 

[jlone]

1 hour ago, jlone said:

Pot and pan, please do not call the kettle black! Ref: {newspaper cutting)

Can't stand one of that foreign Tr!

Edited May 5, 2020 by jlone

[leo yok loo]

25 minutes ago, jlone said:

The foreign workers dare not ask for an apology, but the all sinkies need an apology for putting us all living in fear n anxiety  at this moment for their wrong guidiance n the mess they have caused.  Money cannot buy everything! 

FW not dare to ask their bosses, how to ask minister.

Today ask, tmrw permit cancel and bye bye you go.

[Guest Guest]

2 hours ago, mith said:

just a concern :

 

yesterday i went to northpoint singpost, and ntuc. essential errands.

 

entering the mall, my IC was scanned.

then entering singpost at 2nd level, my IC was scanned again.

lastly, entering ntuc in the basement, my IC was scanned again.

 

just 1.5 hr, my full data was collected by 3 different organisations!

 

should i be concerned? 

 

 

The cluster ar Northpoint is slowly unraveling, would be more cautious heading there.

[Guest Guest]

Not just once or twice... it should be made illegal to serve those without mask for this period.

 

[Guest memory lane]

7 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

Shanmugam is right: Everyone should watch what they say. 

What people said in the past can always come back to haunt them in the future. 

 

 

 

 

The problem is the WP doesn't get the news into the newspapers.

He forgot to mention about the direct corruption that happened directly at PM Lee's constituency in Ang Moh Kio. This is even more embarrasing to me!

And another hint on checks and balances.

 

The Ministers might forget, but we don't forget this!  it is less than a year!

 

Straits Times: Jun 26, 2019

SINGAPORE - The prosecution has called for a lengthy jail term and a fine for the former Ang Mo Kio town council (AMKTC) general manager who pleaded guilty to corruption in March this year.

Stressing the need for a "stiff deterrent sentence", Deputy Public Prosecutor Jiang Ke-Yue on Wednesday (June 26) called for a jail term of at least four years and eight months for Wong Chee Meng, 59, along with a penalty of $23,400.

Wong received over $86,000 in bribes between 2014 and 2016 from Chia Sin Lan, 63, the director of two construction companies that submitted bids for town council contracts.

The prosecution also sought a jail term of at least four years and two months for Chia, along with a $100,000 fine for each of his two companies, 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise.

 

[Guest lost case]

3 hours ago, mith said:

just a concern :

 

yesterday i went to northpoint singpost, and ntuc. essential errands.

 

entering the mall, my IC was scanned.

then entering singpost at 2nd level, my IC was scanned again.

lastly, entering ntuc in the basement, my IC was scanned again.

 

just 1.5 hr, my full data was collected by 3 different organisations!

 

should i be concerned? 

 

 

 

If your concern only comes by now, I guess it is too late already and you should have hoped you better had been born in Malawi with a lower level of surveillance.

 

Anyhow, it is not only IC scan but measuring temperature as well. If you go to JEM in West, they scan your temperature after queueing to enter the mall, before you go to some food outlets and then again if you go buying groceries at Fairprice. but strangely they don't disinfect the trollies or green carriers!

 

The IC scan is to do better contact tracing, let's say they spotted someone infected at the SingPost, then they can trace you.

 

If you worry about privacy laws and data protection rights, then I am sorry to say, in Singapore you are a lost case.

 

My apologies if I sound a bit ironic...

[Guest Malaysia thing]

The situation to Malaysia seems a bit different compared to Singapore.

 

Too few are partaking in political posts in Singapore and this is one of the major problems and shy away for running for the elections for the opposition.

 

If WP had sufficient candidates to run in all constituencies, then probably Singapore could do the "Malaysia thing", but if the biggest opposition party can only run in 1/3 of the constituencies, it is difficult.

The other thing would be a "Pakatan Harapan" where many opposition parties group into one "party".  I mean the more convincing and efficient ones and then turn up as one party having candidates in all constituencies.

 

As long as those 30 opposition parties run separately and none is sufficient big to present in all constituencies, my personal estimation for the future is bleak.

 

If not it will still continue as a "Divide et impera" situation.

 

[Guest CB elections]

2 hours ago, Since u r here said:

the only thing i  most dislike is why is the CB so Long???????? and now i have to be fed by the government 

 

Because they want to hold the election during CB! and now got official school holidays....

 

With the school holidays brought forward, lessons will resume on June 2, ...

 

Why are they making laws for elections during CB? Would they need the law if they intend to hold the election after the lock down???

 

Just interesting they can't introduce voting by mail for those under quarantine. In what country do your reduce the electorate for public voting???

 

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/bill-to-provide-for-voters-candidates-affected-by-covid-19

Apr 8, 2020,

 

If the general election were to be held during the coronavirus outbreak, Singaporeans who are quarantined over Covid-19 will not get to vote.

That is because they will be deemed to have broken the law on infectious diseases if they leave the place where they are being isolated to go cast their vote.

They will not be penalised for not voting, which is compulsory, and will have their names restored to the electoral rolls unconditionally when the election is over.

This was among the proposed changes to the law in the Parliamentary Elections (Covid-19 Special Arrangements) Bill.

The Bill, meant to provide for the temporary arrangements needed to hold an election safely while Covid-19 measures are in effect, was introduced in Parliament yesterday by Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing.

Since it emerged that such a Bill was in the works, speculation has been rife on whether an election is near.

 

 

Yesterday, the Elections Department (ELD) sought to dispel this idea when responding to queries on behalf of Mr Chan.

 

The ELD said: "This Bill forms part of ELD's contingency planning for the next general election. It is not related to the timing of the GE.

"The Prime Minister will decide when to call the election, taking into account the challenges confronting our country, including the evolving Covid-19 situation.

"The Government is fully focused on tackling Covid-19. Our immediate priorities include helping affected Singaporeans and companies, and implementing the 'circuit breaker' measures to slow down the outbreak."

 

Under the Bill, people on stay orders, who have to remain in their own homes or other boarding premises such as hotels, service apartments, hostels or dormitories, will be able to vote.

Those serving their stay-home notice in their own homes will be allowed to vote in their own constituencies.

If they leave their home to cast their ballot, they will not be considered to have breached their stay-home orders.

They also have to comply with the directions of the returning officer and are likely to be given specified times and venues where they can vote. The people serving their stay-home notice in boarding premises which are not their own homes will be allowed to vote at special polling stations.

Such stations may be set up in a constituency as long as a returning officer is aware that there are two or more people serving out their stay orders there and they are eligible to vote.

These special polling stations could be set up in the boarding premises or at other suitable premises.

Under the proposed arrangements, voters under stay orders will also be required to remove their masks for the purpose of verifying their identity.

To ensure their vote is cast in the correct constituency, elections officials will call out the constituency and polling district code where the voter is registered.

Meanwhile, aspiring electoral candidates will be allowed to nominate a representative to help them file their nomination papers if they are unable or unfit to do so because of a Covid-19 quarantine order or stay order, hospitalisation or ill health.

Under current laws, candidates have to file nomination papers in person.

The Bill makes clear that the temporary arrangements being proposed will apply only to a parliamentary election held on or before April 14 next year, which is the deadline for the next general election.

Said the ELD: "The health and safety of voters, candidates and elections officials are paramount.

"ELD is reviewing our election processes and putting in place the necessary precautionary measures, in compliance with prevailing advisories from the Ministry of Health."

The Bill will be debated at the next available Parliament sitting, which is expected to take place next month.

If approved by Parliament, it will take effect before the next general election.

This means Parliament is not likely to be dissolved during the "circuit breaker" period. The latest measures - the strictest to date - took effect yesterday and will last until May 4.