COVID-19 Updates for Singapore Employers: Cost Reduction, Mandatory Notifications, and Government Support from the Fortitude Budget

Following the end of the circuit breaker period on 1 June 2020, Singapore is implementing a gradual resumption of business. During this period, employers are likely to continue to have concerns over cost-saving and business continuity measures and the government support available to them.

To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Establishment of Alternative Arrangements in Singapore for Companies’ General Meetings

The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Alternative Arrangements for Meetings for Companies, Variable Capital Companies, Business Trusts, Unit Trusts and Debenture Holders) Order 2020 (Order) was published in the Gazette on 13 April (and subsequently amended on 14 April 2020 and on 24 April 2020) and is deemed to come into effect on 27 March 2020.

To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Updated COVID-19 Updates for Singapore Employers

Update to our post of 7 April 2020

As of 27 April 2020, Singapore has reported more than 13,000 cases and 12 deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the number of new cases in the local communities have started to level off, many of the new cases are unlinked, pointing to a larger, as-yet undetected reservoir of cases in Singapore. As such, there is the continued need to be vigilant in enforcing social distancing and isolation measures.

To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Supplementary Rules for Electronic Adjudication Lodgment: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act (“SOP Act”)

On 15 April 2020, the Singapore Mediation Centre (“SMC”) enacted Supplementary Rules for Electronic Adjudication Lodgment to provide for:

  1. the electronic lodgment of documents;
  2. telegraphic transfer of fees;
  3. electronic service of documents; and
  4. Adjudication Conferences.

To read the full text, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Loan Obligations: Relief Measures in Singapore During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A package of targeted relief measures was announced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on 31 March 2020, which it has rolled out together with the Association of Banks in Singapore, the Life Insurance Association, the General Insurance Association and the Finance Houses Association of Singapore to provide temporary relief for individuals and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing liquidity problems during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of a collapsing world economy, these measures could prove to be a lifeline to starve off bankruptcy and winding-up actions.

To read the full post, please visit the Duane Morris and Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Alternative Arrangements for Companies’ General Meetings in Singapore

As a result of COVID-19 and the prescribed “circuit breaker” measures by the government on gathering and social distancing, general meetings requiring personal attendance cannot be conducted during this “circuit breaker” period.

We had previously written about the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures Act) and its provisions for the Minister of Law to prescribe alternative arrangements for, among others, the holding of general meetings during this “circuit breaker” period.

To read the full post, please visit the Duane Morris and Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Singapore: Legislative Framework for Security and Use of Electronic Signatures

For most of us working from home and actively telecommuting to help stem the tide of local transmissions of COVID-19 during this crucial period of time, technological advancements in the medium of digital communication and remote access have been a boon.

It is thus timely to restate the guiding principles of “electronic signatures” and its use in electronic records and transactions that have become increasingly commonplace.

To read the full text of this article, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

Update: Dealing with COVID-19 in the Construction Industry in Singapore

This update is provided to our article issued on 5 April 2020.

On Friday 3 April 2020, to reduce the risk of further local transmission of COVID-19, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) released an advisory to inform contractors that all building works (except for essential works) are to cease from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020 (“Stop Work Period”).

To read the full text of this article, please visit the Duane Morris & Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

During COVID-19 Restrictions, Required Annual General Meetings for Singapore Companies

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the implementation of safe distancing measures as well as the current “circuit breakers” by the Singapore government. Many companies incorporated in Singapore are statutorily required to hold their annual general meetings (AGMs) while such control measures are in place, which may prevent AGMs from taking place by the stipulated period.

To read the full text of this post, please visit the Duane Morris and Selvam COVID-19 Resource Blog.

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The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and are not to be construed as legal advice.

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