As announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on 19 May 2020, Singapore will embark on a three-phased approach to resume activities safely, post-circuit breaker.
Phase One of this approach involves the safe re-opening of economic activities that do not pose high risk of transmission.
It includes the resumption of selected services, like motor vehicle and aircon servicing, all hairdressing services, selected health services. Schools will start to reopen.
For more details on Phase One (Safe Re-Opening), click here
A critical pre-condition for us to be able to move into the next phase or ease certain measures further within each phase, is to have improved capabilities to control and contain any subsequent outbreaks.
Hence Singapore will continue building our capabilities in the following areas:
- Expanding our testing capacity to be able to diagnose cases early, screen all individuals at risk, and protect the more vulnerable groups
- Speed up contact tracing to identify and isolate close contacts of infected persons
- Ensure sufficient healthcare capacity to deal with any potential surges in cases that we must still expect from time to time
If community transmission rates remain low, Singapore can then move to Phases Two and Three in subsequent weeks.
Phase Two (Safe Transition)
The Government will carefully monitor the effects of increased activity in Phase One, and if the community infection rates remain low and stable over the subsequent two weeks, Phase Two could happen before the end of June.
In Phase Two, almost the entire economy will re-open, subject to safe management measures being in place. More activities will resume.
- Retail, F&B, and other services
Most businesses will be allowed to resume, with safe management measures, group size and capacity limits in place. These include retail, F&B dine-in, personal health and wellness, as well as home-based services. Sports and other public facilities, e.g. stadiums, swimming pools, will be opened too. - Social interactions and family visits
Masks will remain compulsory whenever outside one’s home. Small-group gatherings of up to 5 persons will be allowed. Within one’s home, households may receive up to 5 visitors per day.
As seniors are especially vulnerable, they should exercise caution and stay at home as much as possible. To support them and their caregivers, more senior services and programmes, such as senior care centres, will resume with appropriate safe management measures in place.
- Schools
Schools will fully re-open from end June, while Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will gradually increase the number of students back on campus at any one time for face-to-face learning.
For higher-risk activities, the Government will be engaging businesses and organisations on how and when they may resume safely, with the necessary safe management measures and safeguards. Such activities include:
- Religious services and congregations
- Cultural venues such as art galleries, libraries and museums
- Large-scale events and venues, such as conferences, exhibitions, concerts and trade fairs
- Entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke outlets, cinemas, theatres, and other indoor and outdoor attractions
Depending on the COVID-19 situation and the Government’s risk assessment, the measures (e.g. size of gatherings) will continue to be eased gradually until we reach a new normal in Phase Three.
Phase Three (Safe Nation)
This will be the ‘new normal’ for Singapore, as we expect to remain at this state until an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is developed.
What’s expected to be allowed:
- Social, cultural, religious and business gatherings or events would have resumed
Gathering sizes would have to be limited in order to prevent large clusters from arising. - Seniors would be able to resume day-to-day activities
Safe distancing measures need to be practised, peak period travel, crowded places and large groups need to be avoided.
Public commutes
As more of us return to work and school, more will be taking public transport. Businesses should stagger working hours to minimise travel during peak periods. Commuters will have to wear a mask, refrain from talking to one another or on their mobile phones, and maintain good personal hygiene. Cleaning of buses and trains will be stepped up.
Opening of borders
Singapore will gradually re-open our borders for Singaporeans to conduct essential activities overseas and to allow safe travel for foreigners entering or transiting through Singapore. Necessary precautions and safeguards will be in place. As the global situation remains volatile, such moves will be assessed and implemented separately from the timing of the three phases of re-opening outlined above.
For more on what we can do to resume activities safely, click here
