SINGAPORE: In Phase 3 of Singapore’s COVID-19 reopening, up to eight people may be allowed to gather outside the home, an increase from five currently, Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong said on Tuesday (Oct 20).
Similarly, households may receive up to eight visitors.
AdvertisementAdvertisement“This would allow families with more than five persons to be able to get together and enjoy some face-to-face time that no amount of virtual interaction can replace,” Mr Gan said at a press conference by the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force.
However, he stressed that while residents are looking forward to Phase 3, it will not be a return to normal.
“We will maintain the key measures, but we will see where we can make adjustments to allow further resumption of activities,” said Mr Gan, who is co-chair of the task force.
“But the silver lining is that over these few months, we have incorporated many of these good habits in our daily routine and have adapted our social norms and behaviour,” he added.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAside from gathering sizes, the capacity at events such as religious services and wedding receptions could be increased to allow up to 50 people each at multiple zones, depending on the size of the venue. Currently, these events are limited to hosting up to 100 people, split into two zones of 50.
In Phase 3, border control measures may be eased alongside more travel arrangements with other countries, Minister for Education Lawrence Wong added.
Mr Wong, who is also a co-chair of the COVID-19 task force, said that Phase 3 could start before the end of the year.
“When can all of these measures take place? That is the big question and the answer is that it really depends on all of us, because if we work together, cooperate and comply with the requirements and the measures, then we can keep community transmission rates low,” he said at the press conference.
Advertisement“On the other hand, if we let our guard down and new clusters emerge, then this timeline will have to be pushed back, and we do not know when we can resume,” he cautioned.
Changes to the limit on either the size of social gatherings or event size are not likely to happen at the same time, Mr Gan emphasised.
“Some of these measures may be implemented progressively. We may adjust the group size first or we may adjust the larger-scale activities,” Mr Gan said, urging people not to expect "a big bang” when Phase 3 begins.
“It depends on the situation and depends also on the various pilots that we are carrying out at the moment.”
“Actually, Phase 3 … is a milestone that we are saying that we have now put in place reasonable (safety measures) to protect ourselves and we should continue to maintain these safeguards,” he added.
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