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SINGAPORE: Up to 250 people will be allowed in worship services starting Monday, as Singapore moves to Phase 3 of its reopening, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in a notice on Saturday (December 26) .
This is an increase from the current 100.
These 250 people do not include religious and support workers, although “they should be kept to a minimum,” MCCY said.
Live performance elements will also be allowed during worship services, with the necessary safe management measures in place.
Singapore’s move to Phase 3 of its reopening on December 28 was announced about two weeks ago by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
In Phase 3, social gatherings of up to eight people will be allowed in public, up from the current five.
Singapore will also ease capacity limits in public places such as shopping malls, attractions and places of worship, Lee said.
READ: In full: Prime Minister Lee’s speech on the COVID-19 situation
WORSHIP SERVICES
For congregational services of more than 50 people, the faithful should be separated into zones of a maximum of 50 people each, MCCY said.
Worship services should be as short as possible, and prayer and other common items such as holy books, prayer mats, and the passing out of offering baskets should not be shared.
All bystanders must also wear a mask at all times, MCCY said.
“Each zone must be completely separated from another by a solid physical partition (at least 1.8 m high if not floor to ceiling, wall to wall), or at least 3 m of physical space demarcated by physical barriers continuous “. added the ministry.
There should be no intermingling of people in the zones, the ministry added.
Up to 10 people participating in the conduct of the worship service can remove their masks at any time, of which up to five can unmask themselves to sing. Individuals should only unmask when necessary to perform their duties.
Members of the audience may not sing during the worship service.
MARRIAGE SOLEMNIZATIONS
Religious organizations may continue to use places of worship to conduct wedding ceremonies for up to 100 attendees, excluding the solemnity and religious and support workers.
Attendees must maintain a safety distance of 1m between groups, except for a main “wedding party”, which is allowed for a maximum of 20 people (including the couple and their two witnesses).
Mixing is not allowed and there should be no food and drink receptions or wedding celebrations other than essential religious rites.
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FUNERAL
For funerals, wakes, installation of niches and post-funeral rites in places of worship, up to 30 attendees can be present at any one time. This excludes religious and support workers.
Live instrumental music (no wind) is also permitted for funerals or post-funeral rites, subject to safe handling measures.
Visits to columbariums in places of worship should be as short as possible, without mixing groups.
READ: Comment: Phase 3 will bring us a much-needed closure to a difficult year
RECORDING AND DISSEMINATION OF RELIGIOUS PRAYERS AND SERVICES
Religious organizations recording or broadcasting their services may have up to 30 people on site for these productions, of which up to 10 people can unmask at a time.
If there is “live” singing during these recording or broadcast sessions, a maximum of five people present may be unmasked at any one time.
Those who are unmasked to sing should keep at least 2 meters from other people.
Time spent at the location should be as short as possible, MCCY said, adding that there should be no cross-deployment between locations and there should be no socializing between breaks.
READ: Comment: Our silent joy for Phase 3 is the true new normal
OTHER RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Religious rites and other religious activities, such as pastoral services and religious classes, can be carried out as long as the groups do not exceed 50 people.
This is also subject to the total local limit of 150 people.
Each religious class must not exceed 50 people, including the religious worker or teacher.
In these settings, a “greater separation of 2 million is encouraged between groups of students attending religious classes,” MCCY said.
Faith-based organizations must submit their safe management plans, including the deployment of manpower, at least three days prior to commencing Phase 3 activities.
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