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Even when Singapore finally enters phase three of its reopening, bars, pubs, karaoke lounges and nightclubs may need to remain closed.
At a virtual press conference yesterday, the multi-ministerial working group presented a roadmap for phase three, which could happen before the end of the year if conditions permit.
The conditions do not include new Covid-19 clusters, few community cases, an increase in testing and contact tracing, and compliance with safe handling measures.
More measures will also be implemented during phase three, which could last more than a year, to mitigate risks as more activities are opened. Group sizes for meetings are expected to increase to eight people from the current limit of five.
The Health Ministry said that phase three will not come back to life as before, but will see new ways of working and living until the rest of the world has Covid-19 under control.
With restrictions expected to continue, it is unlikely that many nightlife businesses will reopen in their original form.
Education Minister Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the working group, highlighted the sector as a higher risk scenario.
“We have seen it in many other countries where large groups occur in these kinds of settings,” he said.
“So even when we enter phase three, we don’t expect to reopen or resume these activities anytime soon.”
However, he added that the working group was prepared to consider pilots for these environments, with more stringent safe driving measures.
The government will also help those unable to resume business with a package of assistance to get out, transit, and relocate to new areas.
Singapore Nightlife Business Association Chairman Joseph Ong told The New Paper last night that the reveal would be disappointing for some, but it wasn’t entirely surprising.
“I’d say two-thirds of the industry have already found ways to reopen in new ways, and some of them are thriving,” he said.
“Therefore, this would affect only a part that cannot really operate.”
Mr. Ong said he was eager to see what kind of support would be available.
“We have to start thinking about things in the new normal,” he added. “It’s not the end of the nightlife. The wild mix will change, but when it comes to celebrations, the energy and the friends, they remain the same.”
Alcohol suppliers said that while they have also been affected, they are confident the industry will correct itself.
Shaun Wee, 39, director of sales for Moet Hennessy Diageo Singapore, said consumers and businesses have adapted.
“We can be affected when it comes to certain brands that rely on nightlife and clubs, but people still drink,” he said.
“Whether at home or in different places now, consumption is still there. Demand may have fallen initially, but there have been new opportunities like e-commerce, which is booming.”
Business owners who spoke to TNP said they are eager to see what the assistance package will offer them.
Rob Collins, 46, owner of Dorothy Bar in Chinatown and Offshore F & B in Kovan, said the bar has been closed since entertainment venues were ordered to close on March 26.
“We have tried everything and I am willing to do what the authorities ask,” he said.
“If they ask me to switch to a coffee style, I can do it. It’s not about selling drinks, it’s about opening the business again.”
The era of phase three
Enablers for phase three:
- Follow safe handling measures
- Small groups, safe distancing, social responsibility
- Expanded testing, including a rapid antigen test pilot before events
- Increased use of TraceTogether with SafeEntry
Possible measures to come in phase three:
- Meetings away from home increase to a maximum of eight
- Visitors to homes also increased from five to eight
- The capacity in the places, the attractions can increase from the current 50
- Events can have multiple zones of 50 people
- Pre-event tryouts for guests at select events
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