CapitaLand puts in place precautionary measures and business continuity plans in fight against Novel Coronavirus

Singapore, 29 January 2020 – In view of the developing Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) situation, CapitaLand has taken precautionary measures at its properties globally in accordance with guidelines from the respective local authorities.  It also has in place business continuity plans (BCP) to enable the Group to continue its critical activities and minimise impact to operations.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Group Chief Executive Officer, CapitaLand Group said: “CapitaLand is monitoring developments of the nCoV closely as the situation remains uncertain and continues to evolve.  We have set up a special task force to co-ordinate our response across our operations in China and in the various markets where we operate.  To date, the Group’s business operations, including in China and Singapore, remain largely stable.  Our priority is to focus on ensuring the well-being of our tenants, shoppers, guests and employees.  We are all in this together during these trying times.  CapitaLand will continue to work closely with the different local authorities in our markets to offer our support.”

Mr Manohar Khiatani, Senior Executive Director of CapitaLand Group, who has been appointed as the Group BCP Commander, said: “CapitaLand’s business continuity plans guide our operations which includes how and when to limit the interaction of business-critical staff, to include working from alternate sites, working from home and the use of teleconferencing.  Where necessary, operational personnel will be divided into primary and alternate teams.  We will continue to monitor developments and the authorities’ directives, take the necessary steps to minimise impact to our operations and update our stakeholders in a timely manner.”

China

All CapitaLand properties in China have adopted the necessary precautionary measures, in accordance with guidelines from the health authorities.  These include conducting temperature checks at its properties and intensifying cleaning and disinfecting of common areas.  CapitaLand will conduct contact tracing and have designated premises at its properties for the isolation of persons suspected to be infected with nCoV.  

CapitaLand has advised its tenants, shoppers, guests and employees to observe personal hygiene and monitor their health closely.  They have been advised to seek medical attention immediately if they feel unwell.  They should inform their doctor of their travel history and have been advised to avoid crowded places. It is also providing hand sanitisers and face masks for tenants, shoppers and guests.  CapitaLand will continue to monitor the situation closely and take more precautionary measures where necessary.

The Chinese government has issued a directive to extend the Chinese New Year holiday until 2 February 2020.  While most people are expected to resume work on 3 February 2020, CapitaLand’s office properties in places such as Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Chongqing will be closed until 9 February 2020, as stipulated in the latest directives from the respective local governments.

Similarly, as required by the respective local governments, CapitaLand has closed all four of its malls in Wuhan and both of its malls in Xi’an.  The supermarkets in CapitaMall Westgate, Wuhan and CapitaMall Xindicheng, Xi’an remain open to ensure the supply of food and daily essentials to the local communities.  These six CapitaLand malls in Wuhan and Xi’an will reopen when local conditions permit.  Meanwhile, the remaining 45 malls in CapitaLand’s retail network across China, which are located in cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai, continue to operate with shorter hours.  CapitaLand will continually review its properties’ operating hours in line with local conditions and regulations.

CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging unit, The Ascott Limited is proactively extending assistance to guests whose travel plans to China have been disrupted.  This includes accommodating its guests if they need to stay longer and waiving cancellation fees for guests who have to change their travel plans.

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