The outbreak of Covid-19 took the world by surprise. Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei province, it soon spread to the rest of mainland China and then to other countries. On 12 March 2020, World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 outbreak as a pandemic, having spread to 120 countries and territories, with major outbreaks in mainland China, Italy, South Korea and Iran. As at 13 March, there are over 134,000 confirmed cases and close to 5,000 deaths worldwide.

The coronavirus reached Singapore in mid-January, with its first case confirmed on 23 January 2020, right before the Chinese New Year festivities. It was also among the earliest hit nations, resulting in industries such as hospitality and retail being impacted. The virus soon spread to other regions, with the UK reporting its first case on 31 January and New Zealand confirming its first case on 28 February. Here’s how our companies tackled the situation.

Since the emergence of Singapore's first case, companies under Hong Leong Group have stepped into action. Precautionary measures have been put into place in accordance with guidelines set by the local authorities. Employees with recent travel history to hardest hit areas such as China, South Korea and Italy are required to undergo a 14-day monitoring period, follow the government-implemented quarantine order or Stay-Home Notice.

Business continuity plans, such as staff telecommuting or adopting social distancing strategies like split-team operations, have also kicked in at Hong Leong Group companies, including Hong Leong Holdings, Hong Leong Finance and City Developments Limited.

Other precautionary measures implemented across Hong Leong Group offices and building premises include more frequent cleaning and sanitation of public surfaces such as doors, lifts and lobby turnstiles. Hand sanitisers are also placed at customer contact areas such as hotel lobbies, malls and sales galleries, with frontline employees and stakeholders briefed on exercising caution and maintaining good personal hygiene practices.

Caring for the office community

Mandatory temperature screening for tenants and guests has been implemented in office buildings in Singapore, including Hong Leong Building, Republic Plaza, City House and Fuji Xerox Towers.

The Community Management Team under CDL’s Asset Management Division also rolled out a CityDelights initiative for its office community. The team has prepared immunity boosters and health protection essentials for the month of March to help office tenants stay clean and healthy in light of the Covid-19 outbreak, with hand sanitisers and Vitamin C drinks, given out at Republic Plaza, Fuji Xerox Towers, City House and other CDL office buildings.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Cleans, Cares, and Welcomes Guests

For its six Singapore properties, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR)’s new ‘We Clean. We Care. We Welcome’ initiative highlights the brand’s dedication to the health and safety of its guests and employees.

Comprehensive preventive measures include rigorous cleaning and sanitisation of guest rooms and regular sanitisation of contact points such as lift buttons, reception counters and conference and meeting rooms. Front desks are also well-equipped with hand sanitisers and infrared thermometers to facilitate regular temperature checks. Medical masks and gloves are also provided to guests and staff when required.

With the campaign, MHR is offering guests up to 25% off room rates to be booked by 31 March for stays until 31 December 2020. My Millennium members can also take advantage of additional perks such as 200 bonus points and double points for every 10 nights booked. Diners also get up to 20% at the hotels’ dining outlets.

For guests who prefer dining outdoors, there are alfresco options at all six Singapore hotels, each offering a specially curated outdoor dining menu and MHR’s private label beer and wine collection – M Brew and M Wine.

Hong Leong Finance extends help to affected customers

Covid-19 Loan Relief Schemes have been rolled out by Hong Leong Finance (HLF) to affected small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and individual customers. As an SME specialist, the firm understands the predicament SMEs may face during these difficult times. Loan support, for customers with operations in Singapore, include providing additional loans against their commercial property with total loan-to-value of up to 100% and offering SME Bridging Loans, which are released in tranches according to these firms’ cash flow needs. These are further measures to complement the Singapore government’s Stabilisation & Support Package delivered in Budget 2020.

SMEs who are not existing clients can also access HLF’s Loan Relief Schemes, subject to review.

Customers, such as car rental companies, boutique hotel operators and dentists, are considered for temporary principal moratorium to help them conserve cash to cope with their operating overheads like salary payments to avoid having to retrench staff. Additional working capital are provided to some SMEs, like those in the cleaning industry, to help with their cash flow to meet the sudden surge in demand for cleaning services from both private and public sector. There are also SMEs that use this period to upgrade their operating premises to be ready for business recovery, and HLF will grant them term loans to support their investment.

Affected individual customers, such as those with home loans, will also be rendered assistance with interest-only or non-fully amortising loans.

How our global hotels handle the pandemic situation

Over in China, where the virus was first reported, the government imposed a city-wide quarantine order for Wuhan. The quarnatine was soon declared for the entire Hubei province. There are a total of nearly 81,000 confirmed cases and over 3,000 deaths in China as at 13 March, though the increase in new cases daily has fallen.

MHR has waived cancellation fees for guests with bookings at hotels in Greater China, including Grand Millennium Beijing, New World Millennium Hong Kong, and Millennium Taichung in Taiwan. Contingency plans, which prioritise the health and safety of its associates, have also been put in place, to minimise business impact on hotel operations and comply with global and local health authority and government guidelines.

Europe is among the hardest hit regions, having seen a surge in cases especially in Italy since mid-February 2020. The region has over 30,000 confirmed cases as at 13 March.

The MHR corporate office in the UK has rolled out a Coronavirus Awareness Training for all staff in Europe and UK, to ensure that all staff are aware of local government advisories, personal hygiene procedures, and how to handle guest interactions during this period. The properties have also heightened cleaning and disinfection regimes and has rolled out its ‘We Clean. We Care. We Welcome’ initiative to reassure guests.

As at 13 March, New Zealand has five confirmed cases, with new border restrictions expected to help curb the coronavirus spread in the country. For MHR New Zealand, precautionary measures have been put in place in its hotels and corporate office. The latest health advisories from the New Zealand Ministry of Health are prominently displayed at reception and check-in areas, and hand sanitisers made available in all public areas including restaurants and conference rooms. Staff are also briefed on detailed hygiene advice, and a Deep Cleaning Protocol for guestrooms and public areas circulated across properties.

Stretching with Hong Leong Group Sports & Recreation Club

Whether you are in the office or working from home, it is important to stay healthy and reduce workplace health risks. In collaboration with PURE International, Hong Leong Group Sports & Recreation Club prepared five different stretching exercises that staff can perform easily at their workplaces or at home. The exercises, which include neck and back stretches, help to ease any tension and keep one energised at work. Click here for the exercises!

Hong Leong Group of companies include City Developments Limited, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited, Hong Leong Holdings Limited, Hong Leong Finance, CDL Hospitality Trusts and Hong Leong Asia.