Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
COVID19: The impact on small Singaporean-owned businesses overseas
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Chilli crab, rojak and laksa – these quintessential Singaporean dishes usually excite foodies around the world. But for the past few weeks, even the smell of freshly made kopi can’t draw them into establishments run by Singaporeans overseas. Advertisement Advertisement As the coronavirus spreads globally, Singaporean-owned businesses in Europe, North America and closer to home in the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
More US retailers shut stores to limit coronavirus spread
News Business Article
NEW YORK: More major retailers said on Sunday (Mar 15) they would shut stores in the United States to limit the spread of the coronavirus, including Nike, Under Armour and Lululemon Athletica, a day after similar moves by several other US retailers. The coronavirus, which has already caused schools to close and put an end to sports events
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
China reports 16 new cases of COVID-19, 14 more deaths
News Business Article
BEIJING: Mainland China had 16 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Sunday (Mar 15), the National Health Commission said on Monday, down from 20 a day earlier. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in China so far to 80,860. Advertisement Advertisement The death toll from the outbreak in China had reached 3,213 as
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
New York City closes public schools over COVID-19 concerns
News Business Article
NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday (Mar 15) announced the closure of public schools in America’s biggest city, bowing to pressure after strongly resisting the move aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic. “I regret to announce that as of tomorrow our public schools will be closed,” de Blasio told a news
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
Big US banks halt stock buybacks, citing customer needs during coronavirus
News Business Article
Business The biggest U.S. banks will stop buying back their own shares, and will instead use that capital to lend to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus, an industry trade group said on Sunday. FILE PHOTO: A view of the exterior of the JP Morgan Chase & Co. corporate headquarters in New York City
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
Chaos at US airports as COVID-19 medical screenings jam up returning Americans
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: Chaos gripped major US airports on Sunday (Mar 15) as Americans returning from coronavirus-hit European countries overwhelmed authorities attempting to process the surge. Frustrated passengers complained of hours-long lines, crowded and unsanitary conditions and general disarray in the system for screening people for symptoms of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement “Very close quarters,” Ann Lewis Schmidt
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
US Fed slashes key interest rate to 0-0.25% amid pandemic
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: Faced with a growing economic shutdown amid the global new coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Reserve on Sunday (Mar 15) announced drastic emergency measures to shore up confidence and keep the financial sector running, including slashing the key interest rate to virtually zero. The Fed made its second emergency rate cut in less than two weeks,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
14 new COVID-19 infections in Singapore, including 9 imported cases: MOH
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 14 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday (Mar 15), bringing the country’s total to 226. This is the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases in Singapore to date. Advertisement Advertisement Two of the new cases are part of the cluster involving a private dinner function at SAFRA Jurong (cases 218
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
COVID-19: Entry approval, stay-home notices for all new, returning foreign domestic workers to Singapore
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: All employers and employment agencies planning for foreign domestic workers to enter Singapore must obtain the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) approval prior to the commencement of their journey. Upon arrival in Singapore, all new or returning foreign domestic workers from any country will also be placed on a mandatory 14-day stay-home notice. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
COVID-19: Stay-home notices for all travellers entering Singapore from ASEAN countries, Japan, UK, Switzerland
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: People who enter Singapore with recent travel history to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom will be issued with a 14-day stay-home notice. This will take effect from 11.59pm on Monday (Mar 16) and applies to all travellers, including Singapore residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
Commentary: How safety measures for the coronavirus could lead to worrisome changes in behaviour
News Business Article
MIAMI, Florida: Coronavirus fears triggered a recent surge in sales of protective masks, as well as disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser. Now there’s a shortage and concern that health care providers who must wear face masks won’t be able to get the gear they need. Setting aside the fact that public health experts say healthy
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
The Big Read: The untold sacrifices by frontline healthcare workers as they soldier on against COVID-19
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Earlier this month, Dr Chng Woei was asked by her 24-year-old daughter if the family was not going to have dinner with the maternal grandparents until “this dies down”. “This” refers to the COVID-19 crisis which has hit every continent except Antarctica, and has earlier this week been declared a pandemic by the World
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 16, 2020
Chaos at US airports as medical screenings jam up returning Americans
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: Chaos gripped major US airports on Sunday (Mar 15) as Americans returning from coronavirus-hit European countries overwhelmed authorities attempting to process the surge. Frustrated passengers complained of hours-long lines, crowded and unsanitary conditions and general disarray in the system for screening people for symptoms of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement “Very close quarters,” Ann Lewis Schmidt
Commentary: There is more support for Singapore firms to go overseas. But some just don’t want to
SINGAPORE: The government’s unrelenting push to hardcode the ethos of internationalisation into the DNA of businesses surfaced unsurprisingly in Budget 2020. New initiatives – such as Grow Digital, which aims to help companies leverage digital platforms to go global, and the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit, which provides S$10,000 per enterprise to help with out-of-pocket expenses for