Phase 3 in Singapore: What can you expect?
It’s been some time since Phase 2 started on 19 June and Phase 3 is officially on the horizon. This was recently confirmed by DPM Heng Swee Keat, who announced that plans for the next phase in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic will be coming in the next few weeks. While official details remain scant, experts have chimed in on various easing measures that could be adopted.
Here’s what we’ve managed to gather from the updates in the news and put together information on what to expect in Phase 3.
Note: Covid-19 measures and updates are frequently being revised. We request you to stay tuned to gov.sg and verify all information.
What to expect in Phase 3 in Singapore
DPM Heng outlined a four-pronged strategy for Singapore’s safe reopening in the coming weeks, comprising:
- Securing early access to effective vaccines
- Enhancing testing capabilities
- Conducting swift contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals
- Adhering to safe management measures
This is largely in line with an earlier update.
Phase 3 will, undoubtedly, be Singapore’s ‘new normal’ in a lot of ways and will guide our way of life until a vaccine or an effective treatment for Covid-19 becomes widely available. Here are some changes we can look forward to in Phase 3, based on updates released so far.
Increase in maximum group size
The current limit of 5 persons per group may be increased, allowing larger families and bigger groups of friends to meet and have meals together. However, the lifting of this restriction requires the continued cooperation of everyone in observing proper hygiene practices and keeping our guards up.
Expansion of business and official travel arrangements
If the current business travel pass programme presents favourable outcomes, we are likely to see an extension to include more employees. This will help companies with international footprints resume essential business activities such as sales calls and training.
The number of bilateral green lanes meant to facilitate business and official travel will also likely increase. Current reciprocal green lanes include ones with China, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and Indonesia.
Increase in air travel bubbles
A step towards opening up leisure air travel again, Singapore will likely continue to seek more travel bubble agreements with different countries and cities, similar to the one finalised with Hong Kong. Such agreements allow leisure travellers to avoid serving quarantines, provided they pass a Covid-19 screening. This will help stimulate the leisure travel sector in Singapore.
Standing invitations to travellers from more countries
In addition, the Government is likely to open Singapore’s borders to more countries who manage to bring the virus under control. Currently, countries with such standing invitations include Brunei, New Zealand, Vietnam and Australia (excluding Victoria state). Adding more countries to the list will help to encourage growth in inbound tourism receipts.
New, less invasive tests with quicker results
Part of a successful reopening strategy is fast and accurate testing. Although Singapore is, currently, able to conduct nearly 40,000 polymerase chain reaction tests per day, the authorities are continually seeking higher testing standards. This could see the development and/or adoption of newer testing methods that are less invasive and are able to produce results quicker.
All of these changes notwithstanding, some measures and restrictions will continue to dictate our movements.
Measures and restrictions implemented so far
The reality is that Covid-19 has wrought sweeping changes in almost every aspect of our everyday lives. Here’s taking a look at a summarised list of some of the most important changes instituted since the lifting of the Circuit Breaker in June.
Stay-home-notice
Incoming travellers and Singaporeans have to serve a mandatory stay-home-notice (SHN) lasting up to 14 days, either at their own residences or at dedicated facilities. Depending on their travel itinerary as well as their residency status, they may have to pay for Covid-19 swab tests, stays at dedicated facilities, and unsubsidised inpatient hospital stays if found to be infected.
A Covid-19 test can cost up to $200, while it costs $2,000 for a 14-day stay at a hotel earmarked for SHN purposes.
Wearing of masks
Masks must be worn at all times when in public, including in the office. Masks may be temporarily removed when exercising, eating, drinking or smoking. Children under age 6 don’t need to wear masks, but face shields should be worn as much as possible.
Contact tracing
Entry and visits to public places and amenities require Safe Entry check-in or identification card scanning in order to facilitate contact racing in case of infections.
Safe distancing and restricted group size
Group sizes for social gatherings are limited to a maximum of 5, even if they are members of the same household. Groups larger than 5 must observe a safety distance of at least 1m between groups, and members must not intermingle (such as when visiting a restaurant, cinema or shopping mall). Within the home, up to 5 visitors are allowed to be received at any one time.
On 4 August, the count of 20 people was increased up to 30 at funerals and wakes. And from 3 October, up to 100 individuals are allowed for wedding solemnisation and receptions.
Similarly, all religious organisations will be allowed to conduct congregational and other worship services for up to 100 people. All the above are subject to safe distance and safe management measures.
Restricted capacity for various venues
The need for safe distancing also saw operational capacity being limited at various venues, such as
- Cinemas: Up to 150 patrons separated into zones of not more than 50 patrons each
- Gyms and fitness studios: 1 person per 10 sqm, capped at a maximum of 50 people at any one time. Maximum of 5 people in any one group with safe distance of 2m (3m for strenuous activities) to be observed.
- Eateries: Tables to be spaced 1m apart and diners are limited to 5 per group. Self-service buffet lines and common amenities such as drinks dispensers are disallowed.
- Entertainment venues: Bars, clubs and concert halls, as well as other venues that attract large crowds and encourage mingling, are not allowed.
Limited activity in offices
While work-from-home (WFH) remains the default, employers may arrange for employees to return to the office subject to the following conditions:
- Such employees continue to WFH for at least half their working time
- No more than half of such employees are at the workplace at any point in time
Workplace events and activities taking place within the office, such as seminars, conferences and retreats are allowed for up to 50 persons. However, employers are also reminded to adhere to safe distance and other measures. They must also continue to observe split teams or shift arrangements. To help ease peak hour congestion, employers are encouraged to stagger reporting times.