SINGAPORE, Jan 15 — In the aftermath of the deadly bomb blasts that rocked Jakarta yesterday, Singapore businesses there took various steps to protect their employees, with United Overseas Bank (UOB) shutting four of its branches for the day and The Ascott Limited stepping up security at its properties and arranging for employees to stay overnight if necessary.

In response to TODAY’s queries, a UOB spokesperson said the bank had closed four of its branches in Tebet, Kuningan, Mampang and Wahid today “due to their proximity to the incident”.

The four branches will resume operations tomorrow.

Earlier today, the bank had advised its staff in the Jakarta and Greater Jakarta area to remain in their offices until the situation was deemed safe, the spokesperson said.

At Ascott’s serviced residences in the city, security was ramped up, and staff and guests were kept updated on the situation.

“For our employees’ safety and convenience, we have also set aside some apartments at our properties to accommodate them, should it become necessary,” said Kenneth Rogers, its regional general manager for Indonesia and Australia.

The company operates five serviced residences in the Indonesian capital, including Ascott Jakarta, which is a 10-minute drive from where the blasts took place.

Two of OCBC Bank’s subsidiaries – Bank OCBC NISP and OCBC Sekuritas – operate in Jakarta. Staff were told to remain indoors and to stay away from windows, among other safety measures, said the bank’s head of operational risk management Patrick Chew.

All non-essential travel by OCBC staff to Jakarta would also be postponed, he added.

BreadTalk, which has 40 stores in Jakarta, reminded its staff to remain vigilant, said its spokesperson, noting that its top priority was to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.

As the blasts left the city in jitters, Singaporeans in Jakarta noted the initial confusion that arose following the explosions, which left at least seven people dead and scores injured.

IT professional Kavin Mahtani was giving a presentation in a client’s office at the Kota Kasablanca mall, “seven to 10km” from the site of the attacks, when the bombs went off.

“Everyone was confused and scared and wondering whether the blasts were in multiple malls,” the 34-year-old told TODAY over the phone, noting that there were conflicting reports initially about the extent of the blasts.

Security was tightened at the Kota Kasablanca mall following the blasts, with sniffer dogs activated at the entrances and bag checks that were more stringent than usual, Kavin said. He stayed put in the mall for more than two hours because it was “recommended not to move”.

Sales and marketing professional Lena Tan, 47, who was in Jakarta on business, said she was in a cab to the airport at the time of the incident and noticed road blocks along the way.

“It’s quite a relief (that I’m safe),” she said.

Pierre Yap, who runs a trading business and travels regularly to Jakarta, said the blasts would not deter him from continuing his travels there.

“We should just be careful, but life goes on. We shouldn’t let these people (the attackers) fulfil their objectives,” said the 36-year-old, who had just returned to Singapore from Jakarta on Tuesday night.

Nevertheless, Dynasty Travel public relations and communications director Alicia Seah said bookings to Jakarta would likely see an “impact” for the short term in the wake of the explosions. Jakarta sees primarily business, not leisure, travellers, she noted.

For airlines, it was business as usual, with Singapore Airlines and Tigerair saying today that their flights were operating as scheduled. — TODAY