Singapore plans Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) return in stages from Jun 14
In the latest statement to Singaporeans and residents today from the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, Singapore's Government outlined the next stages of recovery after the current heightened alert ends on 13 June.
At Work
Working from home will remain the default arrangement. Companies should continue to stagger start times of employees, implement flexible working hours and not cross-deploy employees to multiple worksites.
Co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Lawrence Wong said:
The embers are still there, we do not want to encourage too much movement. We resume activities progressively but we do not want everything to happen all at the same time.
The Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) will be extended for certain sectors that are required to remain closed until Jun 20, with effected businesses receiving 10% JSS support from Jun 21 to Jun 30.
People who work in high-risk settings with unmasked customers will have to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, regardless of their vaccination status. This includes the staff of dine-in F&B outlets, personal care and appearance services that require removal of masks such as facials, saunas and make-up services, and gym and fitness studios where clients are unmasked. Mandatory tests will be progressively rolled out to larger establishments first and extended to smaller businesses after. For dine-in F&B outlets, testing will be rolled out starting from July. The cost of the tests will be covered by the Government for the next three months.
Social Gatherings & Events
The limit on group sizes for social gatherings will be increased from two to five people from June 14, 2021, with five distinct visitors per household daily to be allowed. Social gatherings should be limited to no more than two a day.
The opportunity to dine-in at F&B outlets in groups of 5 people will return from June 21, 2021.
Wedding receptions will be able to resume from Jun 21. For receptions with up to 100 attendees - including the wedding couple but excluding vendors - pre-event testing is required.
Gyms and fitness studios may also resume indoor sports activities with masks off from Jun 21, with safe distancing of at least 2m between individuals and at least 3m between groups of up to five people. Sports classes will be capped at 30 people including the instructor, in groups of no more than five people.
In-person tuition and enrichment classes for those aged 18 and below will be allowed to resume from Jun 21 with enhanced safe management measures, which will be announced by the Ministry of Education.
The operating capacity of attractions that have received prior approval will be increased to 50 per cent from Jun 14. Museums and public libraries will also be allowed to operate at an increased capacity of 50 per cent.
For live performances and MICE events, a maximum of 250 attendees will be allowed from Jun 14 with pre-event testing. From Jun 21, singing and playing of instruments at these events will be allowed. Similarly, spectator sports will resume from Jun 14, with up to 250 attendees if pre-event testing is conducted. Mass participatory sports events resume from Jun 21.
Self-Testing Kits
COVID-19 antigen rapid test (ART) kits for self-testing will be sold by pharmacists to the public from Jun 16 and produce results within 20 minutes, according to the Ministry of Health. These self-test kits have received interim authorisation from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to be sold to the general public.
- Abbott PanBio COVID-19 Antigen Self-test
- QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test
- SD Biosensor SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self-Test Nasal
- SD Biosensor Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test