SINGAPORE – May 14, 2025 – Following a recent spike in COVID-19 infections, Singapore businesses are reactivating their contingency plans to cope with potential labour shortages and maintain high safety standards for customers and staff.
According to health authorities, COVID-19 cases rose to 14,200 in the week of April 27 to May 3, up from 11,100 the previous week. This surge has prompted firms across industries, especially in F&B and transport, to take proactive measures.
F&B Sector Ramps Up Hiring and Sanitation
At House of Seafood in Punggol, two chefs fell ill with COVID-19 just before the busy Mother’s Day weekend, leading to an urgent need for skilled part-time replacements.
Supervisor Ms Feng Ying said the restaurant offered salaries 50% higher than usual to attract experienced temporary chefs. This was done to ensure food quality remained consistent despite the disruption.
The restaurant also stepped up sanitisation procedures, including:
- Engaging professional cleaning services.
- Disinfecting high-touch areas such as door handles and toilets.
- Increasing sanitisation frequency to four times daily.
Transport Operators Take Precautions, Maintain Flexibility
Transport firm SG Bus Charter Travel & Tours is leveraging its experience from the earlier phases of the pandemic to stay prepared.
Director Mr Dinesh Dhillon shared that:
- N95 masks continue to be mandatory for all drivers.
- Vehicles are sanitised twice daily.
- Staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to work from home where possible.
“We’ve reshuffled drivers before, and we’ll do it again if needed. We’re always ready to adapt,” Mr Dinesh said.
Despite no current COVID-19 cases among staff, the company remains on alert, with contingency staffing plans ready to go.
Business Continuity Amid Public Health Concerns
The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases serves as a reminder that pandemic preparedness remains critical. Businesses are focused on:
- Staff flexibility to manage sudden absences.
- Enhanced hygiene protocols to maintain safe environments.
- Contingency workforce planning to prevent service disruptions.
As Singapore navigates this resurgence, firms across sectors are balancing public health concerns with the need for operational stability.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
The readiness of businesses to reintroduce safety measures highlights their commitment to resilience and public health. With contingency plans back in motion, companies aim to minimise disruption while safeguarding both staff and customers.