The Ultimate Guide To Recent Covid-19 Measures Updates In S’pore Because Everything Changes Too Fast Liao

As more places of social entertainment (no, we don’t mean clubs) and services are gradually opening up, it is a given that more people will be wanting to get out and have some fun.

And who can blame them after being cooped up at home for days on end?

But of course, with COVID-19 every place now has to adhere by a new set of rules set by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce.

Here’s a list of what activities will be permitted and the rules that follow with them:

Outdoor Exercise Classes 

According to the Singapore Government website, from 1 Sept 2020 onwards, more public facilities where organised exercise classes will be opened.

This includes:

• Open spaces at SportSG sports centres and parks
• HDB common areas

Instructors will need to register themselves first via the ActiveSG site before they can commence classes.

Response via email will be given within three working days to notify instructors on the application outcome.

For those who are conducting their classes at parks and HDB common areas, you’ll have to get approvals by NParks and the respective town councils too.

These places then have to abide by the following rules:

• The classes must be organised by a registered instructor who will be responsible for ensuring that the safe management measures are put in place and adhered to.
• Total class size will be capped at 50 pax, including participants, the registered instructor and any assistants.
• Should instructors be splitting participants into individual groups, each of this group will need to have five participants.
• Safe management measures include temperature taking, symptoms screening, safe distancing, and maintaining a list of participants in venues without SafeEntry.
• General group exercises that are not organised by these instructors will continue to be capped at five persons.

Managing crowds

Some malls, in particular Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza, have experienced difficulty in ensuring safe-distancing due to the crowds.

From 29 Aug 2020 onwards, the following measures will take place:

• Odd and even date entry restrictions on weekends, based on the last digit of an individual’s National Registration Identification Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN)*.
• *Similar to the “wet markets system: 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are allowed to enter on even-numbered dates while 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 can only enter on odd-numbered dates.
•  All visitors will be required to produce appropriate identification (such as an NRIC or a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower) at the entrance of these malls for verification.
• Those who are unable to do so will be denied entry.

It was added that the authorities are monitoring the situation, and should more malls appear to have the overcrowding issue, similar systems will be implemented on those malls.

Safe dining

It would seem that the risk of COVID-19 transmissions increases with loud talking, said Lawrence Wong, Co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, in a video dated 21 Aug 2020.

Louder background music means patrons will have to speak louder to be heard.

This means more saliva droplets, which leads to a higher risk of transmission.

So to prevent that, the Covid-19 task force says F&B outlets can only play soft background music when operating.

F&B outlets are also advised not to take in reservations for groups of more than 5 unless they are from the same household, although F&B owners are confused on how they are supposed to enforce that measure.

Live broadcast (both TV and radio), as well as video screenings, are still not allowed.

Any restaurant caught will be dealt with harshly, including fines and forced temporary closure.

Other safety management measures like SafeEntry, safe-distance of 1-metre between tables and temperature-taking still applies.

Key life events

This includes weddings, wakes and funerals.

Marriage Solemnisation and Receptions

In an update from the Ministry of Health (MOH) dated 30 Jul 2020, from 4 Aug onwards, up to 50 persons (including the couple, excluding the Solemniser and vendors) will be allowed to attend the entire event, subject to the venue’s capacity limit based on safe management principles.

Solemnisation at home, the Registry of Civil and Muslim Marriages (ROM/M) Building, and designated areas at the National Museum of Singapore operated by ROM will continue to take place with up to 10 persons (including the couple, excluding the Solemniser and vendors), as these venues tend to be smaller.

Wakes and funerals

To facilitate more family members and friends to pay their last respects, from 4 Aug 2020, up to 30 persons may be present at any one time, subject to the venue’s capacity limit based on safe management principles.

Border measures for low-risk countries or regions

As we see more countries keeping their COVID-19 situation well under control and thus having a lower risk of importation, the Singapore Government website has announced the following updates to Singapore’s border measure will take place from 1 Sept 2020, 0000 hours:

For travellers from Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand

For travellers entering Singapore and who have remained in either Brunei Darussalam or New Zealand in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry:

• Apply for an Air Travel Pass (ATP) between 7 and 30 days before their intended date of entry into Singapore.
• Are not required to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).
• Undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival, and continue their activities in Singapore if the test is negative.
• Should they require medical treatment for COVID-19, they will be responsible for their medical bills.

Returning Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders do not need to apply for an ATP.

For travellers from other low-risk countries or regions

This includes the following countries/regions:

• Australia (excluding Victoria State)
• Macao
• Mainland China
• Taiwan
• Vietnam
• Malaysia

The updated measures are:

• The SHN duration will be shortened from 14 days to 7 days.
• Travellers will be allowed to serve their SHN at their place of residence, and undergo a COVID-19 test at the end of their SHN.

All other incoming travellers will continue to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities and undergo a COVID-19 test before the end of the SHN.

Travel advisory update

The following travel is now allowed:

• General travel to Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand. Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements for the respective countries and take the necessary precautionary measures.
• Travel for studies for students pursuing academic qualification overseas, and where distance-learning is not offered as an option by the education institution

All travellers will be subject to the prevailing border measures upon entry, including payment for their stay at dedicated SHN facilities and tests, where applicable.

Make sure to pay attention to all the rules because you might just have your happy marriage (or relationship) screwed up after getting caught: