Pilot to Reopen Nightclub & KTV Has Been Deferred Indefinitely Due to Increase in Community Cases

Less than 24 hours ago, Education Minister and face of the fight against COVID-19 Lawrence Wong posted this on Facebook:

Simply put, he said that with an influx of community cases in recent days, the authorities are considering “additional measures” to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Here’s a list of community cases in the last 7 days:

13 Jan: No community case

14 Jan: 1 community case

15 Jan: 1 community case

16 Jan: 4 community cases

17 Jan: 2 community cases

18 Jan: 2 community cases

And today (19 Jan), there are 4 community cases.

One troubling aspect is that several cases are unlinked, and some of those who are linked had flu-like symptoms but didn’t seek medical attention. Also, this has led to a cluster in the community—something you haven’t heard of for months.

And now, shots are fired; the pilot programme that allows certain nightclubs and KTV studios to reopen has been deferred until further notice.

Preventing Formation of New Clusters

The pilot for nightclub and KTV started this month, and it comprises 2 nightclubs and 10 KTV outlets.

If you’re confused and thought that it should’ve started last month, here’s why: in December 2020, a separate pilot for bars and pubs started. That pilot will continue as per usual.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the move to defer the new pilot is to “prevent the risk of further community transmission and formation of clusters in high-risk settings such as nightclubs and karaoke outlets, which entail people coming into close contact for prolonged periods of time and in enclosed spaces.

“It is uncertain when the pilot may be able to commence, given the dynamic public health situation. Agencies will review the commencement of the pilots at a suitable juncture.”

As for the nightclubs and KTV outlets that were scheduled to reopen this month, the authorities said they are “working with the operators who were shortlisted for the pilot on the next steps for their businesses, and assisting them individually.”

A summary for this article?

No KTV during CNY after all.

Featured Image: xujun / Shutterstock.com