To manage the evolving community situation, stricter measures will be introduced to keep the community safe and break the chains of transmission by reducing interactions amongst social circles and at the workplace, MOH said. Co-chair of the MTF Lawrence Wong said that these measures would effectively take us back to Phase 2.
The following additional measures will take effect from 8 May through 30 May 2021.
Social interactions
Group size will be reduced from 8 to 5. Similarly, the number of distinct visitors per household per day will also be reduced from 8 to 5.
Individuals are advised to keep to 2 or less social gatherings per day.
Workplace measures
No more than 50% of employees who are able to work from home return are allowed to return to the workplace at any time, down from 75%. Employers should continue to stagger start times and implement flexible working hours.
Social gatherings at workplaces should be avoided. If such gatherings cannot be avoided, then group size of 5 persons will apply.
Event sizes
The maximum number of attendees allowed at live performances and pilot business-to-business events will be reduced from 750 to 250. Pre-event testing will be required if there are more than 100 attendees.
Cinemas
Cinema attendances will be reduced to 100 attendees, with the potential to increase to 250 attendees with the additional requirement of pre-event testing.
Congregational and other worship services
Attendance will be capped at 250 people. Pre-event testing will be required if there are more than 100 attendees at any one time.
Congregational singing will be suspended in places of worship to manage the risks of spread.
Weddings
Marriage solemnisations may proceed with up to 250 attendees in total (including the wedding couple, excluding the Licensed Solemniser and vendors) for the entire event, in zones of up to 50 attendees.
Similarly, wedding receptions may proceed with up to 250 attendees in total (including the wedding couple, excluding vendors) for the entire event, in zones or timeslots of up to 50 attendees each.
Pre-event testing for all attendees (including the wedding couple) will be required for wedding receptions involving more than 50 attendees.
Funerals
Attendees at the day of the burial/ cremation will be limited to no more than 30 persons, down from 50 persons currently. The cap for other days of the wake remains at 30 attendees at any one time. As pre-event testing is not required, attendees are reminded to maintain safe distancing and keep masks on at all times to reduce the risk of spread.
Sports events
All mass participation sports events will be suspended and no spectators will be allowed.
Indoor gyms, indoor fitness and health studios
These will be closed as they are high risk settings. These are small enclosed spaces where people are frequently unmasked while exercising, and in close proximity with many other unmasked people.
Outdoor organised exercise programmes/classes
These may still continue, subject to a class size of 30 attendees in total, with safe distancing measures. This includes group sizes of up to 5 persons and a 3 metre distance between each group.
TraceTogether-only brought forward from 1 June to 17 May
Implementation of TT-only SafeEntry for all venues that experience a higher throughput of visitors and/or where persons are likely to be in close proximity for prolonged periods will now be brought forward to 17 May 2021.
From 17 May 2021, scanning of SafeEntry-QR codes with the phone camera and Singpass App will be discontinued. To ease the transition, ID check-ins will be retained until 31 May 2021.
SafeEntry Gateway
Currently, malls, large standalone retail stores, and cinemas are required to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway devices. The requirement to deploy SafeEntry Gateway devices will be extended to more public-facing venues such as hotels, dine-in F&B outlets, and sports and fitness centres. These venues will be required to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway by 15 June 2021.
These stricter measures are necessary to keep us safe.
In its press statement, MOH said:
Our recent cases show that we must continue to be vigilant in our fight against COVID-19. We must continue to observe all the safe management measures, practise good hygiene, and see a doctor and be tested when sick. Vaccination also remains a key enabler to reduce the risks of community transmission. Vaccination sites continue to remain open during this period subject to safe management measures and we encourage all to continue to be vaccinated when it is offered to you.
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