Unvaccinated People Can Continue to Attend Private Worship in Groups of 5 from 1 Feb

For the devout, attending religious activities in person is of great importance and religious places of worship provide the facilities for them to do so.

However, due to the ongoing pandemic, religious activities were affected by COVID-19 measures that were implemented to prevent further spread of the virus.

New Measures for Unvaccinated Worshippers

As of 1 February, unvaccinated worshippers will be allowed to continue private worship when vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) for worship services are expanded.

The requirements for this new measure include:

• Remaining in groups of five with one fully vaccinated religious worker
• Remaining masked at all times
• Safe distancing of 1m between religious worker and unvaccinated group
• No mingling with persons involved in religious activities that are subject to VDS

This came as an update from the guidelines for religious activities published on the Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations (CPRO) website by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and CPRO on 25 January.

Change in Measures After Appeals

Previously, on 14 December 2021, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that all events, regardless of size, must implement VDS from 1 February in order to continue. This meant a change from the current rule that allows events hosting fewer than 50 people to proceed regardless of vaccination status.

The new measure also meant that only those who are fully vaccinated, are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines, or have recovered from the disease, as well as children aged 12 and below, can attend events such as congregational and worship services.

On 20 January, according to The Straits Times, at least two religious organisations had appealed to the authorities to make concessions for those who remain unvaccinated.

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MCCY and CPRO said that given the current permissible group size of five for social gatherings, religious organisations can continue to allow one group of up to five persons (regardless of vaccination status) to conduct private worship in the place of worship.

Dr Anthony Goh, chairman of the Methodist Church in Singapore Council on Communications, said “we do not commonly conduct private worship services for fewer than five persons but will be cognisant of this guideline should the need arise.”

He added that churches have various physical and operational configurations, and each church will see how they can adhere strictly to the new guidelines.

VDS Required for Vaccinated Worshippers

From 1 February, VDS will be required for congregational and other worship services, which allow up to 1,000 worshippers.

Worshippers will have to be segregated into zones holding no more than 100 worshippers each.

All unmasked performers who are singing or playing wind instruments must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result either through a MOH-approved test provider or a self-administered antigen rapid test (ART).

The self-administered test must be supervised on-site or virtually by the religious organisation’s live performance organiser. Records of the ART results and the unmasked performers must also be kept by the religious organisations.

Despite the stringent requirements, it seems to be looking up for religious individuals as religious activities gradually return.

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