The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) has been closely monitoring the local and global COVID-19 situation. In view of the emergence of new virus variants as well as the increase in the number of locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and unlinked community cases, safe management measures will be tightened to reduce the risk of community spread in this period of heightened alert.
Additional COVID-19 community measures
On 4 May 2021, the MTF announced additional community measures to keep the community safe and break the chains of transmission. Social interactions will be reduced and activities that involve large gatherings will also be calibrated to ensure that risk of transmission at these settings are mitigated. These are additional measures to what was announced on 30 April 2021.
A summary of all measures applicable from 1 – 30 May 2021 is provided below.
| Current measures as at 4 May 2021 (Phase 3) | Measures from 8-30 May 2021 (Phase 3 – Heightened Alert) |
Community measures
| ||
Social gatherings and interactions |
|
|
Workplace |
|
|
Activities and public spaces
| ||
Congregational and worship services |
|
|
Shopping malls and showrooms |
|
|
Outdoor barbeque pits and campsites
|
|
|
Attractions |
|
|
Museums and public libraries |
|
|
Cinemas |
|
|
Tour groups |
|
|
Outdoor exercise facilities and classes |
|
|
Higher risk activities | ||
|
Indoor exercise facilities and classes |
|
|
Events
| ||
MICE events and live performances |
|
|
Spectator and participatory sports events |
|
|
Weddings |
|
|
Funerals |
|
|
TraceTogether-only Safe Entry (TT-only SE) brought forward to 17 May 2021
It was previously announced that TT-only SE was slated to be implemented from 1 June 2021 across all venues that experience a higher throughput of visitors and/or where persons are likely to be in close proximity for prolonged periods.
The implementation of TT-only SE will now be brought forward to 17 May 2021. From 17 May 2021, scanning of SE-QR codes with the phone camera and Singpass App will be discontinued. To ease the transition, ID check-ins will be retained until 31 May 2021. The full list of TT-only SE venues can be found on SafeEntry website.
TT-only SE can be performed by:
- Using TT app to scan venue’s QR code
- Displaying TT token so staff can scan token’s QR code
- Tapping TT App or Token at SE Gateway device
SafeEntry Gateway required to be deployed at more venues from 15 June 2021
It was also announced that SafeEntry Gateway devices would be required to be deployed at selected venues with high visitorship, such as malls, large standalone retail stores, cinemas etc beginning from 19 April 2021. The requirement to deploy SafeEntry Gateway devices will be extended to more public-facing venues where people are likely to be in contact for prolonged periods, such as hotels, dine-in F&B outlets, sports and fitness centres.
This will facilitate a more seamless check-in experience and ensure that TT tokens are functioning. These venues will be required to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway by 15 June 2021. The full list of venues required to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway can be found on the SafeEntry website.
These measures will strengthen the TT and SE Programmes, which are critical digital tools to facilitate contact tracing and bring down community spread. By maximising TT coverage and active TT usage, this can facilitate quick detection and ringfencing of local cases and their close contacts, and minimise further spread to the community.
Working together and keeping safe
The recent cases show that all of us must continue to be vigilant and observe all safe management measures. Vaccination sites will continue to remain open during this period subject to safe management measures and all are encouraged to continue to be vaccinated when it is offered to you.
For more information, click here for MOH’s press release.
