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SINGAPORE: After two weeks of stricter COVID-19 “circuit breaker” measures, Singapore will gradually reduce some restrictions beginning May 5.
More stores and services will be allowed to resume operations, with safe distancing measures, after a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases in the local community.
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But this does not mean that I can let my guard down. Many restrictions are still in place until the switch period ends on June 1.
Here is an overview of what is allowed, or not, as of May 5.
ACUPUNCTURE
One of the first services that is allowed to resume is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)needle acupuncture, but only for pain management.
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TCM rooms with registered professionals will also be able to sell retail products.
However, services such as cupping, moxibustion, guasha and tuina therapies will still not be allowed.
File photo of a patient undergoing acupuncture treatment. (Photo: AFP)
CONDOMINIUM COMPOSITE EXERCISE
Beginning May 5, residents living in stratum-titled residential buildings, such as private condominiums, can exercise within the common areas of these developments. But they must continue to practice safe distancing.
All sports and recreational facilities within these private residential developments, such as playgrounds, swimming pools, gyms, grills, and clubhouses will remain closed.
CAN I GET MY BUBBLE TEA FIX?
Independent food and beverage stores that primarily sell beverages such as bubble tea, fruit juice, alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea should still remain closed.
But if you crave other sweets, stores selling cakes, donuts, ice cream, chocolate, and packaged snacks can open from May 12, just to go and deliver.
On-site manufacturing and preparation of all foods, including cakes and confectionery, can also be resumed.
Eating in is still prohibited.
Home food companies may also resume operations starting May 12, but must continue strict guidelines, such as ensuring contactless delivery and order picking.
Food order picking must be by appointment only, payment must be by cashless methods and only members of the same household may work in the home food business.
CAN I GET A HAIR CUT?
Good news for those in need of a haircut: Basic haircut services at barbershops and barbers can resume from May 12, but this must be done within an hour.
Classrooms must perform temperature checks, and all staff and clients must have their masks on at all times.
Be sure to bring your ID card as these establishments are required to use the SafeEntry system to collect visitor information to facilitate contact tracking.
Retail laundry services can also resume operations, as with stores that sell pet food and supplies.
For those who need optometry services, walk-ins are not yet allowed, which means you must make an appointment first before picking up your contact lenses or prescription glasses.
READ: COVID-19: Leave only for essential needs, don’t make it a “family outing,” Singapore leaders say
CLASSIFIED HAIR. BUT NOW CAN I EXERCISE IN GROUPS?
You can not. Please note that many breaker measures remain in effect until June 1.
If you need to go out for exercise or buy food and other essentials, go it alone.
And unless you are doing strenuous exercises, remember to wear a mask at all times. Those caught without wearing masks face S $ 300 for the first offense. Those who do not comply with the rule a second time will be fined S $ 1,000.
VISITING PARENTS
The government’s stance on household interactions has not changed.
People are advised to stay home and avoid interactions with anyone other than an immediate family member living in the same home.
If you need to visit older parents living alone to help them with their daily needs, they will still be allowed to do so. However, it is recommended to reduce interaction times as much as possible and observe strict personal hygiene.
“While the number of community cases has decreased, we are not yet out of the woods yet. New groups can be formed if we disappoint our guards,” Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said at a press conference on Saturday.
“We must continue our efforts so that we can keep the numbers low,” he added.
“The rest of the circuit breaker measures remain crucial to keeping transmissions low in the community, and will remain in effect until June 1.”
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