Minister Masagos Zulkifli has touched on two major developments in a Facebook post on April 27.
Firstly, he has indicated that the tightened circuit breaker measures in place are here to stay, which means home-based businesses that have been made to stop operations ought to bite the bullet and not expect a reversal of the government's decision.
Secondly, he slammed those who are inciting home-based food-business operators to pressure the government into making exceptions and lifting newly-installed rules this Covid-19 circuit breaker period.
Play your part, Masagos wrote
The environment and water resources minister's post appealed to the home-based business operators to "adhere to the regulations" and play their part in keeping everyone safe.
This call to adhere to existing rules occurred after home-based businesses were informed over the weekend that they had to stop operations, as long as they produced physical goods that required the products to be delivered.
Many of those up in arms are Malay-Muslims, who are banking on this upcoming Hari Raya festivities to retail their home-made products.
Those who have shifted their operations online were already hurt by the shutting of all Ramadan bazaars in Singapore due to Covid-19.
Some of these operators who took to social media to complain have revealed that they are left with perishable raw ingredients that cannot be put to use or kept for long, and there are instances of operators having taken orders, but are unable to deliver them now.
As a result, the only options are to issue refunds or postpone the delivery of products to a later undetermined date.
In his post, Masagos highlighted one home-based business owner who has taken to refunding customers or postponing orders.
He also commended home-based business operators who remained "stoic", as well as those who displayed "positive attitude" and "patience".
However, without providing any concrete timeline for restrictions to ease, Masagos wrote: "Hopefully the restrictions can be lifted soon as infection numbers decrease in the week ahead."
Hit out at those who incite others to pressure government
Masago's lengthy post also hit back at certain individuals.
He wrote that he is alarmed by the demands made by a group who does not represent the interests of society and is not for the greater good.
Masagos wrote: "They are purportedly fighting for the rights of the entrepreneurs but in fact they're only rubbing more salt into their wounds — because they know the government cannot make exceptions to any sector affected in the tighter circuit breaker period."
His post did not reveal who this group of people are, but he is likely referring to the starters of a petition calling for the authorities to “revise their approach to handling home-based businesses in light of the pandemic situation” during this period of tighter circuit breaker measures.
The petition currently has 68,000 signature ans counting.
The Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs added: "On another note, I also understand how home-based food-business (HBB) operators are frustrated at not being able to make the most of the month-long Ramadan and Hari Raya reservations."
Masagos said he sympathised with everyone affected by the Covid-19 crisis, given how plenty of Singaporeans have lost their jobs.
But all the efforts put in so far to drive down Covid-19 infections will be jeopardised if Singaporeans do not cooperate.
Masagos also wrote: "If the HBB operators continue their business as usual, they run the risk of being infected or becoming a cluster of Covid-19 cases — more so near Raya, when orders pile up."
Hinting that businesses can only continue after the tightened circuit breaker has been lifted, he added: "I was therefore happy when the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) indicated that it would work with us to help organise the HBB operators after the TCB is lifted, so that they can continue their business safely, while putting in place safeguards to prevent cluster formation."
You can read the full post here:
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Top photo via Masagos Zulkifli Facebook