Coronavirus: Singapore tells domestic workers to stay home on days off as circuit breaker loosens

They will be able to go out to run essential errands from June 2, but ‘should return home immediately thereafter’

The Ministry of Manpower said helpers who do not cooperate risk being fined and their work passes revoked

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Singapore’s manpower ministry told employers that foreign domestic workers must limit their time outside. Photo: SCMP

Published: 4:30pm, 21 May 2020Updated: 5:19pm, 21 May 2020

Foreign domestic workers are urged to stay at home, even on their days off, in the first phase of Singapore’s reopening, as circuit breaker measures to stem the spread of Covid-19 are progressively lifted from June 2, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday.

Singapore will exit the circuit breaker as planned on June 1, with measures to be gradually lifted in three phases from the next day. Phase 1 will see students return to schools on a rotational basis, the reopening of certain businesses and services, and limited family visits.

The first phase is expected to last for at least a month.

Foreign domestic workers “should stay at home during phase one, including on their rest days,” MOM said in an advisory sent to employers.

They will be able to go out to run essential errands and buy meals, but “should return home immediately thereafter”. This was “in line with the rest of the community”, MOM said.

In the advisory, MOM “encouraged” employers to give their domestic workers a weekly rest day at home and that on this rest day, workers “should not be asked to work”.