Acts of generosity lift spirits in Singapore

Healthcare workers have also received a great deal of support, with many of the projects focusing on conveying thank-you messages.

The Singapore Medical Association encourages messages of support and related artworks to be posted on social media, with the hashtag #sgartforhcw.

The artworks selected are displayed in public areas at hospitals to boost healthcare workers' spirits.

More-direct initiatives include GrabCare, which offers a 20 percent discount on private car hire rides to and from work for employees at 14 medical facilities, including the National Centre for Infectious Diseases and Singapore General Hospital.

Efforts have also been made to provide meals for healthcare workers.

Early last month, Singaporean food writer, editor and consultant Annette Tan launched the Our Treat initiative to raise funds to buy restaurant meals for those working in isolation and emergency wards.

"The response has been fantastic. In two weeks, we raised over S$11,000," she said.

"The healthcare workers tell us that they appreciate these gestures and that they are morale-boosters.

"Their workload is unprecedented, so to be greeted at the end of a shift or during a break with a treat like a cookie or a meal from a good restaurant really lifts their spirits.

"What we are doing is by no means large-scale. As you'll see from the amount we've raised, we're not going to save the economy. Our goal is really to foster community spirit while helping to bolster food and beverage businesses."

Tan is also attempting to support eateries that are contributing voluntarily, such as the hawker stall Beng Who Cooks, which is giving away free meals to the needy.

Revenue declines

The food and beverage sector has been affected significantly by the pandemic. The partial lockdown in Singapore means that only takeout services are allowed, and many businesses have seen revenue fall by up to 90 percent.

However, help has been forthcoming.

This month, Bacardi-Martini launched the #RaiseYourSpirits initiative globally, with its brands pledging $3 million to help bars and bartenders with financial support, meals and other necessities.

In Singapore, the restaurants The Salted Plum and the Barbary Coast provide free meals for the needy.