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SINGAPORE – Signing up with the TraceTogether app or the token will soon be mandatory for all viewers, and the new measure will be phased in in movie theaters starting October 26.
There will be a grace period until November 16 for theater operators to fully implement TraceTogether, after which it will be the only entry option for users.
This means that viewers will no longer be able to enter by scanning the SafeEntry QR codes with their phone cameras or the Singpass mobile app, or the barcodes on their NRICs.
Indie cinema The Projector was the first operator to break the news to customers in a Facebook post on Monday (October 19), noting that no one will be allowed in unless they use the TraceTogether app or the SafeEntry token on cinema.
The Projector’s CEO Prashant Somosundram told The Straits Times that theater operators had been briefed on what to expect.
“Officially we were told that there is a grace period until November 16 to cover both systems, but we are making (mandatory TraceTogether) effective from the beginning on October 26 because we have few human resources,” he said.
The TraceTogether app includes a SafeEntry QR code scanning feature, while tokens have a similar QR code.
SafeEntry is the national digital registration system that records the identification numbers and mobile phone numbers of people visiting places.
A spokesperson for the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) said Monday that the decision was made to have a grace period to give users more time to adjust to the new requirement.
“Operators do not need to purchase new equipment and only need to install the SafeEntry scanning application on any smartphone to scan the QR code on the (TraceTogether) token,” the spokesperson added.
Movie theaters could be the first of many places to introduce TraceTogether exclusive mandatory entry in the coming weeks.
Authorities said last month that they were introducing the TraceTogether-only entry on a pilot basis in select locations, but would ramp up implementation “after the national distribution of TraceTogether tokens is underway.”
Distribution began last month at 20 community centers and expanded to another 100 locations, including shopping centers, this month. More than 100,000 tokens have been collected as of October 4, figures released by SNDGG showed.
Movie theaters, hotels, food and beverage outlets, gyms and certain offices were among the places listed by SNDGG last month where the TraceTogether exclusive entry could be implemented.
“As such environments have the potential to trigger large outbreaks of a single positive Covid-19 case that spreads beyond the activity or location, the use of TraceTogether can facilitate rapid and comprehensive contact tracing to stop the spread.” a SNDGG spokesman said then. .
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