A new year has begun, and with it comes the promise of new possibilities.
This includes leisure travel, large parties, and crowding outside newly-opened fast food eateries.
2021 will also give us the chance to return to our second home: karaoke establishments.
As you know, KTV outlets have been forced to suspend operations since 26 March last year, as the close mingling of customers coupled with singing was considered to be a high-risk activity.
So, we had to be content with singing into our shower heads for the last nine months or so.
Fortunately, we’ll now have the opportunity to return to a KTV outlet, and we may not even need to take a Covid-19 test beforehand.
Some KTV Outlets Allowed to Let in Customers Without COVID-19 Tests But Group Limit Capped at 2
I have good and bad news.
The good news is that some karaoke outlets may be allowed to reopen without their customers needing to take a swab test.
The bad news is that only groups of two will be allowed at these outlets.
On 6 Nov last year, the authorities announced a three-month pilot programme under which KTV outlets could reopen, but with a host of safe management measures.
This included a requirement for customers to test negative on either the antigen rapid test or the polymerase chain reaction test at least 24 hours before the end of their KTV session.
However, after the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry engaged the KTV industry and received feedback, they decided that some outlets could adopt alternative safe management measures.
For these outlets, no pre-session test will be required, but group sizes will be limited to two, and no liquor sale or consumption will be allowed within the premises at all times.
Conversely, karaoke establishments that require Covid-19 tests before entry will be allowed to serve alcohol until 10.30pm, and accept groups of up to eight customers.
Once an outlet selects an option and receives approval, no changes will be permitted.
The pilot is expected to start this month.
Three Bars/Pubs Already Opened Under Pilot Programme
You may not be aware of this, but there are actually a few bars and pubs that have been allowed to reopen.
After over 9 months of closure, three bars and pubs were allowed to resume operations in Dec last year for two months under a pilot programme for the nightlife industry.
The three bars are:
- Bar Kiharu at Orchard Plaza (will reopen on Wednesday, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm)
- Bell Bar at Cuppage Plaza (will reopen on Tuesday from 6.30pm to 10.30pm)
- Skinny’s Lounge at Boat Quay (will reopen on Wednesday from 4pm to 10pm)
Just like the KTV programme, the two-month pilot will allow the authorities to determine if the safe management measures are sufficient to prevent the spread of infections, and whether nightlife venues can comply with them.
If everything goes well, more KTV outlets and bars could reopen.
Featured Image: Macky Albor / Shutterstock.com
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