Singapore’s Covid-19 Bill to allow land requisition to bolster healthcare capacity

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill will allow for the requisition of land, property or services needed to ramp up the republic’s healthcare capacity and public health capabilities, says Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.

For instance, he said, if the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in Singapore, it may become necessary to take over buildings suitable for conversion into accommodation and care facilities.

“It is needed in order to isolate individuals who are suspected or confirmed to be infected, to reduce the risk of further spread while caring for them,” said Gan in his speech at the second reading of the Bill in Parliament today.

However, he said, in a crisis like this, time is of the essence and “we cannot rely solely on commercial negotiation or the goodwill of the resource owners.”

“We will need to move fast,” he said, adding that the Bill provides the option to bring the Requisition of Resources Act (RORA) into effect for the purposes of containing Covid-19 and caring for the patients and those at risk.

“Should the RORA be invoked, the government will exercise these provisions judiciously and work closely with affected parties,” he assured.

Gan also said the Bill empowers the Minister or any public officer authorised by the Minister to appoint enforcement officers to take action against individuals, business owners or entities who flout the orders and requirements.

The enforcement officers will include police officers, public officers and health officers appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act.

“We need to send a strong signal to those who are egregious in flouting the measures, as they are putting not only themselves but others at risk,” he said, adding that the penalties are aligned with those under the Infectious Diseases Act.

For first time offenders, the penalty is a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both while for second or subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. – April 7, 2020, Bernama

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