SINGAPORE: From May 12, all traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) halls will be able to sell retail products, said Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong on Friday (May 8).
Currently, only 130 TMC halls with registered practitioners are allowed to sell retail products. They had been given the green light to do so on May 5, after the authorities announced last week the easing of some COVID-19 "circuit breaker" measures.
AdvertisementAdvertisement[h=3]READ: 'Minor adjustments' to circuit breaker measures from May 5, acupuncture among services to be allowed[/h]However, Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah pointed out in Parliament on Monday that some elderly residents found it inconvenient to travel long distances to get to the TCM halls that were allowed to operate.
Ms Lee questioned why TCM shops had to close during the circuit breaker, while pharmacies are allowed to remain open. She also noted that food retail outlets have been given the go-ahead to reopen on May 12.
Responding to her concerns, Mr Gan said in Parliament that the Ministry of Health will review the rules.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“I have asked the Ministry of Health to do a review, and I'm happy to share that from May 12, TCM medical halls will be allowed to sell retail products," Mr Gan announced during a multi-ministry press conference on Friday.
"This will provide more convenience, especially to our seniors.”
Mr Gan added that all TCM medical halls must put in place safe distancing measures before reopening for business.
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