COVID-19 Temporary Measures Act 2020

“You’re looking at economic devastation. Businesses destroyed, people’s lives ruined, and in such a situation, you don’t talk contract. You talk equity, you talk justice, you talk about what is the right thing to do.” - Minister for Law K Shanmugam SC, Interview with CNBC, 7 April 2020

The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 (“the Act”) seeks to offer temporary relief to businesses and individuals who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Act which was passed on 7 April and the subsequent amendments on 5 June and 18 September cover the following areas:

(1) Temporary relief from inability to perform contractual obligation
(2) Rental Relief Framework for SMEs and NPOs
(3) Temporary relief for financially distressed indivduals and businesses
(4) Alternative arrangements for meetings
(5) Relief for contracts affected by construction delays
(6) Concessions for Collective Sale Procedures