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SINGAPORE – There may be more easing of pandemic control measures, including the five-person limit for social gatherings, if everyone can work together and keep their guard up, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said at the Parliament on Monday (October 5).
Allowing larger groups to meet would allow larger families or groups of friends to gather and eat together, he said in response to questions from several MPs about easing Covid-19 rules here.
Singapore has gradually relaxed some of its pandemic control measures in recent months, leading some to question when the five-person limit for social activities would be lifted, especially when dining out together.
Gan said on Monday: “We are particularly concerned about dinner, as we have to remove our masks to eat and drink, but we tend to also talk at the same time. The risk is considerably higher than the activities that we can keep our masks on and maintain a safe distance “.
He noted that Singapore has already made great strides towards restoring economic and social activities, safely.
For example, as of September 28, more employees who have been working from home were allowed to return to their workplaces.
But to keep workplaces safe and minimize overcrowding, such employees must continue to work from home for at least half of their work time, with no more than 50 percent of such employees in the workplace at any one time.
Work-related events, including conferences, seminars and meetings, have also been allowed to resume, with a limit of 50 people to reduce the risk of transmission.
The authorities have also taken steps to support the resumption of some very specific and very specific areas, Mr. Gan said.
These include increasing group size limits for key life events, such as weddings and religious activities, to 100 people, but in multiple zones or time slots of up to 50 people each to limit potential exposure to the risk.
The Government had also previously allowed the resumption of physical exercise classes in common community spaces and an increase in capacity for cinemas and leisure attractions such as the Singapore Zoo and the Bird Park.
Museums and libraries have also been reopened, and small-scale live performances are being tested to prepare Singapore to eventually resume such activities safely, Gan added.
He added that the authorities here are being careful in reopening society, as they have learned from the experiences of other countries.
“When restrictions are lifted prematurely or too hastily, a resurgence of cases can occur, resulting in a partial re-imposition of restrictions. On the other hand, maintaining strict restrictions for a prolonged period is not sustainable, which will severely affect our economy. and our lives, “he said.
Therefore, the government has taken a carefully calibrated approach to moving towards phase three and will share more details in the coming weeks.
Education Minister Lawrence Wong also said Monday that his ministry is studying how to resume more activities and will share more details when ready.
But Mr. Gan cautioned: “The low number of community cases today is not accidental, but due to our hard work and collective sacrifices. Even as we move into phase three, the new normal will be different from the one. that we were used to in the days before the Covid. “
He added: “As overseas travel restrictions are progressively eased and more activities resume, it has become even more critical that each of us do our part to exercise social responsibility and adhere to safe management measures, with in order to keep our family and friends safe. “
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