Singapore will adjust its reopening to allow only groups of two people to dine in F&B outlets from June 21, under stage 2 of its so-called “Phase 3 (Heightened Alert)” measures.
This was announced in a press conference of the country’s Multi-Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on June 18.
The limit of two people per group will apply to people of different households. According to MTF co-chair Lawrence Wong, a family of six that lives in the same household can book three tables of two persons each, but six friends from different households cannot.
"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...if you are not from the same household, then you cannot go and do multiple bookings or have multiple tables." Wong stressed.
To further mitigate the risk of transmission from patrons talking loudly, recorded music will not be allowed in F&B establishments.
This is a reduction of the previously planned figure of five people per group, and barring a big outbreak or superspreader event, the Health Ministry says that it will allow such activities to increase to group sizes of up to 5 persons from mid-July 2021, although no specific date was given.
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This comes after a cluster broke out at the 115 Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, which currently stands at 56 cases as of June 17.
According to Director of Medical Services Kenneth Mak, 21 cases are tenants or stallholders at the market and food centre, while 13 cases are visitors. The rest are believed to be the "next generation of transmission involving other close contacts who did not have visits directly", Mak said
Furthermore, the MTF also said as wedding receptions are higher-risk activities where attendees tend to socialise more and over a longer period of time, wedding receptions will remain prohibited until mid-July 2021.
Gyms and fitness studios may resume indoor mask-off exercise activities in group sizes of up to two persons, and in classes of up to 30 persons including the instructor, with safe distancing of at least two meters between individuals and three meters between groups.
For mask-on activities and outdoor mask-off activities, these can continue in groups of no more than five persons, in classes of up to 30 persons including the instructor.
Work from home arrangements for workers will also remain the default.
Extended support for businesses
Due to the updated restrictions, the government will enhance support measures, including extending the Jobs Support Scheme in the next five weeks (see table 1).
Source: Ministry of Health
To provide targeted support to hawkers who are self-employed, the Government will extend the subsidies for fees for table-cleaning and centralised dishwashing services, and provide rental waivers, till mid-July 2021 for stallholders in centres managed by NEA or NEA-appointed operators.
Other workers who remain affected by the extended tightened safe management measures, the Government will also extend the Covid-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary) until July 31.
