Singapore tops up coronavirus relief before 4 weeks of restraint

Malaysia adds support for small business to shore up employment

Non-essential businesses in an already quiet Singapore will be forced to shut down for four weeks, starting Tuesday. © Getty Images

KENTARO IWAMOTO and P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writers

April 6, 2020 19:10 JST

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR -- The Singaporean and Malaysian governments both announced additional multibillion-dollar coronavirus relief packages on Monday, as pressure continues to mount on businesses and households.

Singapore's new measures total 5.1 billion Singapore dollars ($3.5 billion) and are meant to cushion the damage from a four-week restraint period starting Tuesday. Most workplaces, except for essential businesses like supermarkets and clinics, must close until May 4, while schools will shift to full home-based learning on Wednesday.