Gov’t shells out $2b to extend support amidst reimplemented P2(HA)

The Jobs Support Scheme has been extended to 18 August.

The government will release more than $2b to extend support measures for businesses following the reimplementation of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions to curb COVID-19.

The Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) for affected sectors has been extended for four weeks until 18 August, with higher wage support to mitigate the impact of the safe management restrictions and uncertainties, to 60% JSS from 50% previously.

For footfall-dependent and tourism sectors, the JSS support has been enhanced to 40% from 30% previously.

SMEs and eligible non-profit organizations who are qualifying tenants of government-owned properties will get an additional four weeks of rental waiver. Tenant-occupiers and owner-occupiers of privately-owned commercial properties can get an additional two weeks of rental relief cash payout.

Stallholders in government hawker centres and markets can get a one-off cash assistance of $500 from the Market and Hawker Centre Relief Fund.

Workers eligible for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant may re-apply for a second payout.

Taxi and private hire car drivers can get additional assistance from the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund from 22 July to 30 September.

“Given that we are funding this support package via reallocation, we expect the overall fiscal position for FY2021 to remain unchanged with an overall deficit of $11.0 billion or 2.2% of GDP,” said Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong in a ministerial statement delivered 26 July.

Wong added that they do not expect the Heightened Alert to derail Singapore’s economic recovery.