Daily Briefing: Sembcorp subsidiary terminates deal with Hin Leong; New circuit breaker deemed “unclear” by some F&B businesses

And FairPrice introduces 'store on wheels' to residents.

From Channel News Asia:

Sembcorp Cogen, a subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, has terminated a gas oil supply and storage agreement with troubled oil trader Hin Leong Trading, according to a report.

Hin Leong provides storage and management services for the gas oil reserves on behalf of Sembcorp Cogen. The deal was inked in 2009 to purchase gasoil reserves required under Sembcorp Cogen’s electricity generation licence from the Energy Market Authority (EMA).

The carrying book value of the gas oil reserves stored with Hin Leong was $94m as of 31 December.

The EMA requires Sembcorp Cogen to have enough gas oil reserves for at least 60 days of operations, whilst at least 30 days of the operational reserves must be located at Sembcorp Cogen’s generating premises or on a site approved by the EMA.

Read more here. 

From Channel News Asia:

Food and beverage outlets are quickly adjusting their operations as more stringent "circuit breaker" measures kicked in on 22 April, but some businesses still had questions on what they were allowed to do.

Standalone outlets that sell only beverages, packaged snacks, confectionery or desserts have to close, whilst manufacturing plants that make items such as cakes, ice cream and chocolate are also banned from operating, based on the rules announced last Tuesday.

Some businesses, which requested not to be named, said earlier that they were still clarifying with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on whether they can operate and what they are allowed to sell.

Other shops affected are those that sell mainly snacks such as nuts, potato chips, popcorn and bak kwa. Whilst their physical stores will close, some retailers are encouraging customers to order the snacks online.

The eateries that remain open have put in place safe distancing measures and precautions at their stores, such as taking the temperature of their workers twice daily, requiring them to wear masks and to keep their distance from other workers, delivery riders and customers, and increasing the frequency of cleaning at their stores.

Read more here. 

From Channel News Asia:

FairPrice rolls out the initiative ‘FairPrice on Wheels,’ to allow residents in selected areas to buy groceries without venturing too far from home during the circuit-breaker period, according to an announcement

A FairPrice van will stop from 9am to 2pm daily, starting on 23 April in five locations—at Commonwealth Link, Telok Blangah Crescent, Telok Blangah Rise, Kampong Glam Community Club and Jalan Kukoh.

It will be stocked with essential items such as rice, milk, cooking oil, bread, fruit, vegetables and toiletries.

Only cash payments will be accepted, and the usual purchase limits apply.

FairPrice is also trying out another new initiative that allows customers to pre-order groceries via WhatsApp, then pick them up at FairPrice Xpress stores at Esso petrol stations for residents who live near the petrol stations.

Read more here.