The stoppage of operations for all home-based food businesses (HBFB) during Singapore's circuit breaker period has hit many people hard, especially those in the Malay-Muslim community.

Environment and water resources minister Masagos Zulkifli took to Facebook on April 29 to assure HBBs of the various kinds of support the government is offering.

Benefit from relief fund

Masagos wrote that he understood the frustrations HBFBs were experiencing at the loss of income, particularly during this Ramadan and Hari Raya seasonal period.

The government, he added, is extending help in three ways.

Firstly, HBFBs can benefit from the Temporary Relief Fund.

The fund, announced during the Resilience Budget, allows low- and middle-income eligible applicants whose livelihoods have been affected by Covid-19 to receive a one-off S$500 cash payout.

All HBFB operators registered with the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI) will automatically qualify for the fund as well.

HBFB operators who wish to register with the SMCCI can do so here.

Applications for the fund end on Apr. 30.

Legal protection

Masagos also stated that HBFB operators will be afforded legal protection under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

Operators will be provided free legal support through lawyers who have volunteered to offer their legal services.

This is in the event that HBFB operators are unable to reach a compromise over potentially unfulfilled orders with their buyers or clients.

Collecting data

SMCCI will also be collecting relevant data from HBFB operators to better understand the impact these restrictions have had on their income, and "ascertain how to better support them during this challenging period and in the long term".

Such support could come in the form of aid with logistics or delivery, or even training them in business management, Masagos said.

SMCCI will be working with Enterprise Singapore for this.

Restrictions may be eased soon

Masagos even provided a glimmer of hope for HBFB operators.

He added that if the number of Covid-19 cases in the community decrease further, restrictions on HBBs may be eased, potentially before Hari Raya, which starts on May 24.

He said:

"If we all cooperate and stay calm, it will be in time for the Hari Raya orders. We are making progress, but we need to stay the course. Let’s continue to work together to beat COVID-19."

You can read his full post here:

What happened to home-based businesses?

Berita Harian initially reported on Apr. 25 that the Housing & Development Board (HDB) stated HBFBs cannot operate if it involves customers picking up goods, or engaging a third-party delivery service to send the goods to customers.

Only businesses that operate solely online, and do not require its owners and staff to leave their respective homes may still carry on.

These restrictions were to help curb the transmission of Covid-19.

This revelation sent ripples of shock throughout Singapore's Malay-Muslim community, many of whom rely on these businesses for income, especially during this festive period where they can derive substantial earnings.

Masagos subsequently confirmed in a post on Apr. 28 that HBFBs are not allowed to operate during the circuit breaker, something which Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong doubled down on in a press conference.

Irate members of the community have also pointed fingers at Suria actress-turned-social media influencer Ateeqah Mazlan, who has been accused of being the snitch that resulted in this temporary stoppage of business.

You can read more here:

Top photo from Masagos Zulkifli/ Dewi