ASME urges businesses to remain vigilant and rigorous in maintaining
safe management measures at the workplace
Singapore, 2 February 2021 – With the rise of COVID-19 cases in the community, the Association of
Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME) encourages all businesses – especially customer-oriented
establishments such as those within the Retail, Food and Beverage (F&B) and Delivery industries –
to remain vigilant and rigorous in maintaining Safe Distancing and Health Safety measures in their
business operations.
Even as Singapore has moved into Phase Three of its reopening, the Ministry of Manpower has
advised that ongoing workplace safe management measures should remain to minimise the risk
of COVID-19 transmission at the workplace. With the recent uptick in unlinked community cases,
as well as the increased transmissibility of new COVID-19 strains, COVID-19 remains a real standing
threat. In preventing undesirable public health risks, businesses play a crucial role in the collective
effort to ensure that Singapore stands firm against any lapse in measures.
ASME advises businesses to adhere to nation-wide general requirements for workplaces and to
maintain extra care at all levels. This includes ensuring that work from home remains the default
arrangement for work, having staggered and flexible working hours, and avoiding cross
deployment or interaction between different teams or shifts. At the workplace, safe distancing
measures and reduced social and physical interactions between employees should be upheld.
Employees should also be encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices, seek medical
attention immediately if unwell and continue to support contact tracing measures. As long as
every individual and business entity keeps to good safe management practices, businesses can
then function and operate sustainably. This will also go towards the continued safe reopening of
Singapore’s economy.
Ms Louisa Lee, Vice President of Communications, ASME, said, “It is natural for us as humans to
be drawn to making social connections, and this upcoming Chinese New Year period will see a
surge of this desire to enhance interaction with our families and business associates. However,
keeping in view that COVID-19 is still very rampant around the world, it is crucial that businesses in
Singapore continue to keep up our vigilance and adhere strictly to the safe distancing measures
to ensure the continuity of our businesses.”
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Lee Wan Rong
Senior Executive, Corporate Communications
DID: 6513 0894
wanrong@asme.org.sg
Nikki Lim
Executive, Corporate Communications
DID: 6513 0894
nikki.lim@asme.org.sg
ABOUT ASME
ASSOCIATION OF SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (ASME)
The Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1986 for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. With wide-ranging services and programmes, ASME strives to equip member SMEs with the business knowledge and market opportunities to help them grow their businesses.
ASME, as the champion of a pro-enterprise Singapore, bridges the public and the private sectors to promote a more conducive business environment which facilitates the start-up, growth and development of a larger pool of SMEs. The two ASME flagship awards – The Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Singapore Prestige Brand Award – are in recognition of SMEs’ successes.
ASME will continue to roll out new SME-relevant programmes to enhance its position as THE business association
For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs.
