Survey: Singapore's businesses hit by pandemic and lockdown

A customer wearing a protective mask as she waits for food at Ji Ji Noodle House at Hong Lim Hawker Centre amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, in Singapore. The business activity in Singapore plunged to a record low in April due to a lockdown and the impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. - Reuters

SINGAPORE: Business activity in Singapore plunged to a record low in April due to a lockdown and the impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, according to a widely-cited survey.

The monthly purchasing managers index (PMI) showed a fall to 28.1 from March's 33.1 - "yet another unprecedented month-to-month deterioration," according to IHS Markit, which conducts PMI surveys in 40 countries.