Singapore
Singapore has adjusted its reopening plans following a persistent number of unlinked COVID-19 infections.
Tables and chairs sealed off at a hawker centre in Toa Payoh on May 16, 2021, the first day of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). (File photo: Jeremy Long)
By Ang Hwee Min 18 Jun 2021 03:08PM (Updated: 18 Jun 2021 03:16PM )
SINGAPORE: Dining in at F&B outlets will resume from Jun 21 in groups of up to two people instead of five as previously planned.
The group size of two will also apply to indoor fitness activities with masks off.
This was announced on Friday (Jun 18) as Singapore calibrates its COVID-19 reopening plans amid a persistent number of unlinked cases. Such infections have the potential to spark larger COVID-19 clusters such as the one at 115 Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, the Ministry of Health (MOH) noted.
As of Thursday, a total of 56 cases have been linked to the Bukit Merah View cluster since it was first identified on Jun 13.
The Health Ministry had announced on Jun 10 a two-step plan to move back to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert), with restrictions on dining-in among the measures that may be eased from Jun 21.
“Regrettably, we are unable to proceed with our second stage of reopening in light of the latest outbreaks and big cluster that we have discovered in Bukit Merah, and now we have to adjust our plans,” said co-chair of the multi-ministerial task force Lawrence Wong at a press conference on Friday.
Groups of more than two people who are not from the same household will not be allowed to dine-in together at F&B outlets, even if they are split across multiple tables, said MOH in a separate media release.
Responding to a question about whether members of the same household can eat out together in groups larger than two people, Mr Wong said: “We allow people from the same household to have multiple tables, but they have to make very clear that they are from the same household, that is not new.
"We’ve allowed that before and we will continue to do so. But if you are not from the same household, then you cannot go and do multiple bookings or have multiple tables, so the same rules that previously applied will continue to apply.”
This means that a group of six family members, for instance, will not be able to sit together as a table of six, Mr Wong stressed.
Wedding receptions will also not be allowed until mid-July, said MOH.
GROUP SIZES MAY GO UP TO 5 IN MID-JULY
COVID-19 rapid testing for staff in these higher-risk settings will be ramped up to give Singapore “greater assurance” to open up further, “barring unforeseen circumstances and developments in the pandemic”, said co-chair of the task force Gan Kim Yong.
Group sizes for these higher-risk activities may be allowed to go up to five people from mid-July, he added.
“This is a more cautious approach to minimise the risk of spikes in cases and the formation of large clusters. But we are mindful that the F&B sector will continue to need help, and we will support them as we further roll back some of the safe distancing measures next Monday,” said Mr Gan.
At F&B establishments, recorded music will not be allowed, to prevent the risk of transmission from customers talking loudly, said MOH.
There should also be safe distancing of at least 1m between groups of diners and customers should keep their masks on at all times except when eating or drinking, the Health Ministry said.
Gyms and fitness studios can resume indoor mask-off sports or exercise activities in group sizes of up to two people, and in classes of up to 30 people including the instructor, the press release read.
There should be safe distancing of at least 2m between individuals and 3m between groups.
Mask-on activities and outdoor mask-off sports or exercise activities can continue in groups of no more than five people and in classes of up to 30 people including the instructor, said the Health Ministry, adding that SportSG will release more details.
“We do expect the number of COVID cases to go up ... especially in the weeks that follow," said Mr Gan. "This is something we are prepared for, but we must continue to stay vigilant and abide by safe management measures."
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Source: CNA/hw(gs)
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Dining-in to resume from Jun 21 but in groups of two, not five
Singapore has adjusted its reopening plans following a persistent number of unlinked COVID-19 infections.
Tables and chairs sealed off at a hawker centre in Toa Payoh on May 16, 2021, the first day of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). (File photo: Jeremy Long)
By Ang Hwee Min 18 Jun 2021 03:08PM (Updated: 18 Jun 2021 03:16PM )
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SINGAPORE: Dining in at F&B outlets will resume from Jun 21 in groups of up to two people instead of five as previously planned.
The group size of two will also apply to indoor fitness activities with masks off.
This was announced on Friday (Jun 18) as Singapore calibrates its COVID-19 reopening plans amid a persistent number of unlinked cases. Such infections have the potential to spark larger COVID-19 clusters such as the one at 115 Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, the Ministry of Health (MOH) noted.
As of Thursday, a total of 56 cases have been linked to the Bukit Merah View cluster since it was first identified on Jun 13.
READ: Visitors to elderly residential care homes must take rapid COVID-19 tests
The Health Ministry had announced on Jun 10 a two-step plan to move back to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert), with restrictions on dining-in among the measures that may be eased from Jun 21.
“Regrettably, we are unable to proceed with our second stage of reopening in light of the latest outbreaks and big cluster that we have discovered in Bukit Merah, and now we have to adjust our plans,” said co-chair of the multi-ministerial task force Lawrence Wong at a press conference on Friday.
Groups of more than two people who are not from the same household will not be allowed to dine-in together at F&B outlets, even if they are split across multiple tables, said MOH in a separate media release.
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Responding to a question about whether members of the same household can eat out together in groups larger than two people, Mr Wong said: “We allow people from the same household to have multiple tables, but they have to make very clear that they are from the same household, that is not new.
"We’ve allowed that before and we will continue to do so. But if you are not from the same household, then you cannot go and do multiple bookings or have multiple tables, so the same rules that previously applied will continue to apply.”
This means that a group of six family members, for instance, will not be able to sit together as a table of six, Mr Wong stressed.
Wedding receptions will also not be allowed until mid-July, said MOH.
GROUP SIZES MAY GO UP TO 5 IN MID-JULY
COVID-19 rapid testing for staff in these higher-risk settings will be ramped up to give Singapore “greater assurance” to open up further, “barring unforeseen circumstances and developments in the pandemic”, said co-chair of the task force Gan Kim Yong.
Group sizes for these higher-risk activities may be allowed to go up to five people from mid-July, he added.
“This is a more cautious approach to minimise the risk of spikes in cases and the formation of large clusters. But we are mindful that the F&B sector will continue to need help, and we will support them as we further roll back some of the safe distancing measures next Monday,” said Mr Gan.
READ: Shorter wait for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine slots, experts urge residents not to wait to get shots
At F&B establishments, recorded music will not be allowed, to prevent the risk of transmission from customers talking loudly, said MOH.
There should also be safe distancing of at least 1m between groups of diners and customers should keep their masks on at all times except when eating or drinking, the Health Ministry said.
Gyms and fitness studios can resume indoor mask-off sports or exercise activities in group sizes of up to two people, and in classes of up to 30 people including the instructor, the press release read.
There should be safe distancing of at least 2m between individuals and 3m between groups.
Mask-on activities and outdoor mask-off sports or exercise activities can continue in groups of no more than five people and in classes of up to 30 people including the instructor, said the Health Ministry, adding that SportSG will release more details.
“We do expect the number of COVID cases to go up ... especially in the weeks that follow," said Mr Gan. "This is something we are prepared for, but we must continue to stay vigilant and abide by safe management measures."
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Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Source: CNA/hw(gs)
Continue reading...