In a joint statement by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Education (MOE), and the Ministry of National Development (MND) on Feb. 3, the government reminded tenants that they are not supposed to evict residents who are serving their Leave of Absence (LOA) or Home Quarantine Order (HQO).

According to the statement, the government has received feedback regarding landlords evicting tenants based on their nationality, or those who have been placed on either LOA or HQO.

The government reiterated that there is no need for landlords to evict persons serving their HQO or LOA:

Landlords found to have irresponsibly evicted their residents on these grounds may face restrictions and may be barred from renting out their flats to foreign work pass holders in the future.

Who is serving the HQO and LOA?

The Ministry of Health (MOH) had previously announced that with effect from Jan. 31, 2020 on 6 pm, the following returning groups are to be placed on a 14-day LOA from the day of their return to Singapore from mainland China:

• Singaporean Citizens/ PRs with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days
• Long-term pass holders (including Work Passes, Student Pass, Dependant’s Pass and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days.

The following returning groups will be quarantined at home or other suitable facilities:

• Singaporean Citizens and PRs with recent Hubei travel history within the last 14 days;
• Long-term pass holders (including Work Passes and Permits, Student Pass, Dependent Pass and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent Hubei travel history within the last 14 days
• PRs and long-term pass holders with PRC passports issued in Hubei.

While the LOA is a precautionary measure, quarantine orders have legal force, with severe penalties for non-compliance.

Those under HQO are also not supposed to leave their designated location.

Guidelines for landlords

MOE, MOM, and the MND advised the general public that people placed under the HQO or LOA could be workers or students that are well.

The leave or quarantine, as such, are precautionary measures to protect Singaporeans from the spread of the Wuhan virus.

The MOH advisory for landlords with tenants serving their LOA recommends the following:

• Implementing measures such that occupants will not use common spaces like function room or gyms.
• Ensuring the premises is kept clean, though no special precautions such as using masks or disinfectant are needed beyond what is used for routine cleaning.
• Isolating an unwell occupant in an area away from others where possible, and ask the occupant to seek medical attention.
• Provide the unwell occupant with a mask and ensure that they avoid taking public transport.
• Taking down the names and contact details of those who have come into close contact with the occupant when they have fever, cough, breathlessness or feeling unwell, to facilitate contact tracing purposes if the occupant tests positive for the virus.

Top image via cegoh on Pixabay