$800 million Job Support Scheme enhancement to support businesses and sectors affected by P2HA

The Government will introduce a new $800 million support package for retailers, gyms and the arts sector under the Jobs Support Scheme.

The latest support package will include wage subsidies, one-off relief grants as well as rental relief for businesses and individuals affected by recent Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) (P2HA) restrictions, announced co-chair to the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (May 28).

Mr Wong added that a detailed update on the current round of measures to deal with the outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Singapore will be provided at the next multi-ministry task force press conference on Monday.

“It’s been nearly two weeks since we last announced the current round of measures to deal with the outbreak of cases in Singapore.

“Our assessment is that the measures are working, and they are having an effect in controlling the spread of the virus,” he said. “We are continuing to monitor the situation very closely.”

With the latest support package, food and beverage, gyms, performing arts organisations and arts education centres will receive 50 per cent wage support for local employees. These sectors were required to suspend most to all of their operations during P2HA.

Other sectors that are not required to suspend operations but are significantly affected will receive an increase of 30 per cent in wage support. They include museums, retail, personal care services, cinemas and family entertainment centres.

The payout will be based on wages paid between April and June and will be disbursed in September.

Rental relief will be granted to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as eligible non-profit organisations with an annual revenue not exceedly $100 million. They include hotels, serviced apartments and cinemas among others.

Government-owned commercial properties will also receive one month rental relief for tenants. Qualifying tenants for privately-owned commercial properties can also receive a half-month cash relief payout as part of the Rental Support Scheme.

Hawker stalls and coffee shops will also receive a similar one-month waiver. Table-cleaning and centralised dishwashing service fees have also been subsidised for 6,000 stallholders at hawker centres managed by the National Environment Agency.

A one-off support payout will also be provided to lower to middle-income employees as well as self-employed persons affected by P2HA under the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary)

Individuals who had at least one month of no-pay leave or had lost at least 50 per cent of their income between May 16 and June 30 are eligible for the grant.