KTV & Nightclubs Not Reopening When Phase 3 Begins; Gov to Assist the Businesses

It’s been around four months since we’ve entered into Phase Two and even longer since the days of the Circuit Breaker.

We’re able to go out to eat and even hang out in small groups now.

However, as mentioned before, it’s more of a ‘new normal’ than returning to times of old even as we transition to phase three.

And some activities just aren’t returning at all.

Extremely Limited Nightlife

We touched on it briefly before, but it’s pretty much confirmed now.

The nightlife industry is not expected to reopen despite us entering Phase Three soon.

This includes bars, clubs, karaoke lounges and nightclubs.

In a press conference held today (20 October 2020), Education Minister Lawrence Wong said that a lot of these places and activities put you in contact with others. This, in turn, makes the risk of infections higher.

He also said  that there will be a long period of restrictions for these places.

“So even at the start of Phase 3, when we enter Phase 3, we do not expect to resume these activities any time soon.”

Plans To Help Businesses

Of course, this doesn’t mean our gahmen won’t do anything to help these nightlife businesses.

Mr Wong says that measures will be put in place to assist business owners and will help them transition to new areas of work.

However, details of the assistance will be revealed at a later date.

He also mentioned that the authorities were not opposed to trying other options, albeit with “much more stringent” safety measures.

You’re going to have to stick with bathroom karaoke for now, I guess.

Preparing To Adapt To Phase Three

Speaking of adapting, there is one place that’s quickly adapted to this change.

And I’m talking about Zouk.

In case you missed it, Zouk has now turned a spin studio in the day and a cinema at night.

They’ve partnered with Absolute Cycle, a cycling studio to hold classes there as well! Their CEO mentioned that they had to adapt or risk losing the place.

Even for the rest of us, Phase Three hails a new normal in our lives.

MOH has several guidelines on what to expect in the near future.

One of it includes the greater use of contact-tracing tools like SafeEntry and the sometimes forgotten TraceTogether.

In fact, even places like cinemas that have reopened will start implementing the compulsory use of TraceTogether.

Social gatherings numbers will also increase from five to eight people, and more people can attend events.