Singapore Covid-19 Restrictions Relaxed For Fully Vaccination Individuals
Singapore’s government said Friday it will start relaxing Covid-19 measures as the proportion of fully vaccination people increases.
The government has revised Covid-19 measures multiple times since May due to an increase in locally transmitted infections — many caused by the more transmissible delta variant. The country last tightened measures on July 22 by banning dining in and limiting social gatherings.
Covid-19 Restriction Relaxed starts on 10 Aug
Fully vaccinated people will be able to dine in at eateries in groups of up to five, as part of the first steps in Singapore’s four-stage road map to a new normal of living with Covid-19.
Those who are not vaccinated but have valid negative pre-event test results will be able to join them, as will people who have recovered from Covid-19. The maximum group size for social gatherings will also go up from two to five, with households allowed to receive up to five distinct guests each day.
In addition, fully vaccinated people will be allowed to take part in large events and activities where masks are removed, such as indoor sports.
As a special concession, everyone will be able to have a meal at hawker centres and coffee shops regardless of vaccination status, as these are generally open, naturally ventilated spaces. However, they may only do so in groups of no larger than two.
Increase in Social Gathering Group Size
We will increase the current social gathering group size limit from 2 persons to 5 personsand increase the cap of 2 distinct visitors per household per day to 5 distinct visitors per household per day. Unvaccinated individuals should remain in groups of no more than 2 persons, to reduce the likelihood of transmission and severe infection. We should also continue to limit our social circle to a small group of regular contacts and limit the number of social gatherings to no more than two a day.
Updates on Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures and Eligibility
With better protection against infection and severe illness, fully-vaccinated individuals may participate, in groups of up to 5 persons, in higher-risk activities where masks are removed, e.g. Food & Beverage (F&B) dine-in, personal care services, indoor high-intensity mask-off sports; and in larger events e.g. solemnizations, congregational and other worship services.
With higher vaccination coverage under our national vaccination programme, we can take a more inclusive approach in recognising COVID-19 vaccines in the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL). From 10 August 2021, individuals who are fully vaccinated with the WHO EUL vaccines such as Sinovac-CoronaVac, Sinopharm, and AstraZeneca will be eligible for the vaccination-differentiated safe management measures.Thus, an individual will be considered “fully-vaccinated” two weeks after he or she has received the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty, Moderna, or any WHO EUL vaccines.
Unvaccinated individuals with a valid negative pre-event test result or recovered individuals are of similarly lower risk, and may also join in such groups of up to 5.
Increase in Event Size and Capacity Limits
The following event sizes and capacity limits will be increased. The provision for children aged 12 years and below will also apply for these events. Unvaccinated children may be included in a group of up to 5 persons if all the children are from the same household.
a)Congregational and other worship services, cinemas, MICE, live performances, and spectator sport events.
Event sizes may increase to 500 attendees if all are fully vaccinated. Otherwise, only up to 50 attendees will be allowed without pre-event testing (PET). Unmasking and singing or playing of wind instruments at live performances for vaccinated performers may resume, subject to updated safe management measures. Further details on live performances will be released by the National Arts Council (NAC). Further details on worship services will be released by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).
b) Marriage solemnizations and wedding receptions.
Marriage solemnizations in external venues (i.e. not in a place of residence or in the Registry of Marriages/Registry of Muslim Marriages building) may take place with up to 500 persons (including the wedding couple but excluding solemnizers and vendors) if all are fully vaccinated. Otherwise, only up to 50 attendees will be allowed without PET. Wedding receptions will be allowed with up to 250 attendees if all are fully vaccinated, and with groups of up to 5 attendees per table.
