Limit of Five Distinct Visitors a Day for Home-based Businesses in Larger Premises

78 Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked the Minister for National Development whether home-based businesses that reside in larger premises can receive more than five distinct guests a day as long as they fulfil the prevailing guidelines on the number of people per square foot that other retailers abide by.

Mr Desmond Lee: While homeowners may conduct home-based businesses in their HDB flats or private residential properties, these premises are primarily for residential use. The restriction on the number of distinct visitors to the home is intended to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission to household members, should there be a COVID-19-positive visitor.

Unlike retail stores where interactions occur mainly between the staff and customers, customers of a home-based business may come into contact with household members. Thus, those operating businesses from their homes may receive up to the prevailing permissible number of visitors per day, regardless of whether these individuals are customers or guests, and regardless of the size of their home.

We seek the Member’s understanding that the measures are in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of household members, visitors and the community at large.