COVID-19: Singapore moves into phase two reopening from June 19

Singapore has decided to start Phase Two of reopening from June 19 as community infection rates have remained generally stable despite the increase in workplace activities in Phase One.

The decision to end the Phase One which started on June 2 also took into consideration the incidence of cases among migrant worker dormitories has also declined, and there are no new large clusters emerging.

"In Phase One, the default settings were that many things remained closed and we only selectively allowed certain things to resume activities in order to manage the risk. Phase Two is different," said the republic's National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

"The default will be most activities will resume and open. Only a small exception will be left to be done later," said Wong who is also the co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce at a virtual press conference, here today.

Apart from a small list of exceptions, Phase Two will see the resumption of most activities while maintaining safe distancing principles that include allowing small-group social gatherings of up to five persons.

While the vast majority of activities can resume at the start of Phase Two, the resumption of a small number of activities will take more time.

Such activities include religious services and congregations; large cultural venues such as libraries and museums; and large-scale events and venues such as conferences, exhibitions, concerts and trade fairs.

There is no greenlight as yet for entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke outlets, cinemas, theatres; and indoor and outdoor attractions

Apart from the safe management principles, specific rules will apply to events and settings such as weddings, wakes and funerals, workplaces, as well as schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).

For instance, added flexibility will be given for weddings where solemnizations at home and at Registry of Marriages (ROM) or Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) may take place with up to 10 persons, excluding the Solemnizer.

At other venues, they may take place with up to 20 persons, excluding the Solemnizer, subject to the venue's capacity limit based on safe management principles.

-- BERNAMA