Some hawkers, diners confused as stricter Covid-19 rules kick in at hawker centres, coffee shops
SINGAPORE - New rules forbidding unvaccinated people from dining in at hawker centres and coffee shops that kicked in on Wednesday (Oct 13) have left some confused. When The Straits Times visited several places, there were checks conducted at some but not others. At Hougang 203 Coffee Shop, stallholders were actively asking patrons to show their vaccination status. Patrons like Mr K. Tang, who works in the logistics sector, was annoyed by the constant checks as he moved from stall to stall. "I've been asked three times in 10 minutes for my vaccination status at this coffee shop. Why can't they just check once? I will have to show it for a fourth time later when I buy food for my wife. It's so frustrating," he said. At Tiong Bahru Market and Hawker Centre, officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) were seen asking the breakfast crowd streaming in about their vaccination status. One officer reminded an unvaccinated woman that she could only buy food to take away. Despite the usual crowds, operations were smooth and there were no long queues. But at hawker centres in Kovan and Tampines, patrons were seen walking in and out, and having their meals freely. At Kovan food centre...
Fujitsu Delivers Smart Factory Transformation for Ricoh’s Numazu Plant in Japan with New Remote Factory Management Solution
TOKYO, Jun 21, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu Limited today announced the development and deployment of a factory-wide production status visualization system in cooperation with Ricoh Co., Ltd. Ricoh has started full-scale operations of the system in June 2021 at its Numazu Plant, which manufactures polymerized toner(1).System OverviewThe new system leverages Fujitsu's plant visualization solution, FUJITSU Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA Intelligent Dashboard(2), to collect and process production information from Ricoh's chemical plant in Numazu, Japan, offering a comprehensive view of the entire plant's production status in real-time. Connecting the system with smartphones, tablets, and other devices makes it possible to visualize the status of plant operations and changes in product quality anytime and anywhere, empowering management with the ability to remotely manage factories and quickly intervene to prevent potential disruptions to smooth operations, including facility anomalies and quality defects.Going forward, Fujitsu will play an active role in supporting Ricoh's plans to expand the system to other locations and will continue to support digital ...
Goldman Sachs orders US staff to report Covid-19 vaccine status
NEW YORK (AFP) - Goldman Sachs has ordered United States employees to report their Covid-19 vaccination status as the investment bank orchestrates a return to the office, according to a staff memo reviewed on Thursday (June 10) by AFP. "Registering your vaccination status allows us to plan for a safer return to the office for all of our people as we continue to abide by local public health measures," said the message, which was sent to all Goldman employees who had not yet reported whether they have been inoculated against Covid-19. "As a result, it is mandatory that you submit your vaccination status" by Thursday (June 10) the company added. "While we strongly encourage you to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, we understand that the choice to get vaccinated is a personal one." US employers are permitted to require employees to disclose their vaccination status as long as the information is kept confidential, according to the Equality Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC also permits companies to require workers to be vaccinated, although many companies have so far refrained from taking this step. Goldman Sachs announced last month that New York employees should be back at ...
Qantas offers fast-track to higher status to frequent flyers of rival airlines
SYDNEY (REUTERS) - Qantas Airways said on Thursday (Nov 26) it will offer top-tier members of rival frequent flyer programmes a fast-track to higher status as its main domestic rival, Virgin Australia, pursues a less premium strategy under its new owner. The move could help boost Qantas' market share in lucrative corporate and high-end leisure travel as domestic flights ramp up in Australia due to the reopening of state borders. "With so much uncertainty in the market, we've seen a spike in requests from people wanting us to match their status with other airlines," Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said in a statement. "If they are willing to bring their travel across to Qantas, we will fast track them to Gold status." Qantas Gold status includes access to its large network of airport lounges, priority check-in and boarding and preferential seating. By early December, Qantas expects 30 of its 35 domestic airport lounges will be open, whereas Virgin last week said it would maintain only six domestic lounges as part of its shift to becoming a more value-focused mid-market airline. Qantas also includes free Wi-Fi on its domestic flights, while Virgin is reviewing the future of its Wi-Fi...