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SINGAPORE: Social gatherings of up to eight people will be allowed when Singapore moves into Phase 3 of its reopening from December 28, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (December 14).
This is up from the current number of five, the ministry said, in a press release that followed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech to the nation, in which he described Singapore’s move to Phase 3 as a “calibrated move and careful”.
READ: Singapore to begin Phase 3 of COVID-19 reopening on December 28
READ: In full: PM Lee’s speech on the COVID-19 situation
Homes will also be able to receive up to eight visitors at a time, the Health Ministry said.
In addition, the authorities will increase the capacity limits of the places. For shopping centers and large independent stores, the capacity limit will be increased from 10 square meters per person to eight square meters per person.
Attractions can begin submitting applications to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to increase their operational capacity from 50 percent to 65 percent, the Health Ministry said. adding that measures should continue to be implemented to avoid overcrowding in popular areas.
WEDDING AND WORSHIP SERVICES
Capacity for congregational and other worship services will be increased to 250 people, the Health Ministry said. For congregational services, this means multiple zones of up to 50 people each.
Live performance elements will also be allowed in congregational services and other worship services, as well as religious rites or prayers held in places of worship, with the necessary safe management measures, the Health Ministry said. in the press release.
Religious organizations have been testing increased capacity and the granting of live music for congregational and other worship services since Oct. 3, the ministry said.
READ: Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first shipment expected late December: PM Lee
“The pilot has shown that ROs were able to apply safe management measures, such as ensuring clear separation between zones and minimizing mixing between groups of up to five people,” he added.
For home marriage solemnizations, the host home will be able to invite up to eight visitors in Phase 3, excluding members of the host home, the solemnity and providers, the Health Ministry said. Previously, a total of 10 people were allowed, including household members but excluding solemnity and vendors.
For indoor wedding ceremonies, funerals and funeral-related activities, live instrumental music will be allowed, with the exception of wind instruments, with the necessary safe handling measures, the Health Ministry said.
LIVE PERFORMANCES AND NIGHTLIFE
For live performances in the arts and culture sector, up to 250 people will be allowed for live performances indoors, in zones of up to 50 people each, the Health Ministry said.
Live performances have been allowed to resume since November 1 and some venues have been testing larger-scale performances, the Health Ministry said in the press release.
The capacity for pilots of live outdoor performances will be expanded from 100 people to 250 people to ensure venues can still safely manage larger outdoor performances and “mitigate the gathering of outlying crowds,” he added.
READ: See: PM Lee addresses Singapore on COVID-19 situation
The government will continue to carry out pilot tests in some “higher risk” activities and settings, such as street playing, live performances in open air venues, karaoke and nightlife. This will allow ministries “to assess how these activities can be safely carried out and expanded,” the Health Ministry said.
“If the local COVID-19 situation remains stable and we are able to deploy more of our enablers to allow more activities to resume safely, the multi-ministry working group will consider allowing further resumption of activities over the course of Phase Three, “the press release read.
TRACETOGETHER AND SAFETY
SafeEntry from TraceTogether only, or where the TraceTogether app or token is needed for SafeEntry records, will only roll out early next year, the Health Ministry announced.
This is after everyone who wants a TraceTogether token has had a chance to collect it at a community club or community center in their constituency, he added.
Until TraceTogether exclusive SafeEntry is implemented, visitors can still use the app, SingPass mobile, or QR reader apps to sign up through SafeEntry. They can also use their barcoded identity cards, such as their NRICs, or Pioneer or Merdeka Generation cards.
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