Due to rising COVID-19 infection rates, Singapore went back Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 22 July to 18 August 2021. Some good news on this front is that the government will be easing COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rises.
From 9 August 2021, the government expects that 70% of the population will be vaccinated (i.e. completed both vaccination doses). As such, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions will be brought forward to 10 August 2021, as opposed to the original end of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) on 19 August 2021. In this round of re-opening, the key focus is going to be vaccination status.
Here are the winners and losers of the vaccination-differentiated re-opening measures.
Winner #1 Vaccinated Individuals
As its name suggested, vaccination-differentiated measures are aimed to relax COVID-19 restrictions for those who are vaccinated.
Fully vaccinated individuals can participate, in groups of up to 5 individuals, in activities such as Food & Beverage (F&B) dine-in, personal care services, indoor high-intensity mask-off sports; and in larger events such as solemnisations, congregational and other worship services.
Even if vaccinated couples have young children under the age of 12, they can continue to dine-in in groups of up to 5 individuals (as long as all children are from the same household).
Winner #2 COVID-19 Vaccines On The World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL), But Not Part Of Singapore’s National Vaccination Programme Yet
Currently, Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna are the only COVID-19 vaccines covered under Singapore’s National Vaccination Programme.
While this continues to be the case, Singapore will be taking a more inclusive approach in recognising vaccination status. From 10 August 2021, that individuals who have taken other COVID-19 vaccines already on the World Health Organization’s EUL will be eligible for the vaccination-differentiated safe management measures. This includes vaccines such as Sinovac-CoronaVac, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca and others. You can see the full list on the WHO website.
Winner #3 F&B Establishments
One of the biggest winners have to be F&B establishments. The easing of measures from 10 August 2021 will bring forward the timeline to accept dine-in customers from 19 August 2021.
However, F&B establishments must be able to differentiate between their customers’ vaccination status. Those not able to ensure this will have to continue operating only delivery and take-away services.
Hawker centres and coffee shops will only allow groups of up to 2 people – regardless of vaccination status (and most like age).
Read Also: What We Can Learn From MOS Burger Temporarily Closing Down About 1/5 Of Its Stores In Singapore
Winner #4 Event Organisers and Venues
Along with F&B business owners, event organisers can also breathe a (small) sigh of relieve.
From 10 August 2021, for congregational and other worship services, cinemas, MICE, live performances and spectator sport events, capacity may increase to 500 attendees if all are fully vaccinated. From 19 August 2021, up to 1,000 attendees are allowed. Otherwise, capacity remains at 50 attendees without pre-event testing (PET).
Vaccinated performers may also unmask and sing or play wind instruments at live performances.
Similarly, From 10 August 2021, marriage solmenisations may take place with up to 500 attendees (excluding the solemniser and vendors). Otherwise, only 50 attendees will be allowed without PET. Wedding receptions may take place with up to 250 attendees if all are fully vaccinated, and within groups of up to 5 attendees per table.
From 19 August 2021, attractions, cruises, museums and public libraries can increase capacity to 50% (from 25%). Shopping malls can also increase capacity limit to 16 sqm per person (from 10 sqm per person).
Winner #5 All Businesses
From 19 August 2021, Businesses are able to bring back up to 50% of their employees to work. This looks to be regardless of vaccination status of employees.
Temperature screenings will also be removed at public premises, which would help some businesses.
Read Also: It Hasn’t Been Business As Usual For “Non-Affected” Sectors In Singapore
Winner #6 Work Pass Holders And Their Dependants
From 10 August 2021, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will also resume entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependants with travel history to higher risk countries/regions.
Work passholders and their dependants must be fully vaccinated before their arrival in Singapore. They will also be subjected to prevailing health protocols, including serving a stay-home notice (SHN).
Loser #1 Non-Vaccinated Individuals (Even If They Have Valid Reasons)
On the other end of the spectrum, the main group of losers from the vaccination-differentiated measures is non-vaccinated individuals.
Most of the relaxation measures do not apply to them. However, it does look like they are not going to be discriminated against for employers bringing back up to 50% of their workforce.
Unvaccinated individuals would also have to undergo a regular testing regime if they work in:
- Healthcare sector, eldercare sector and settings with children 12 years and below.
- Sectors that interact with customers in higher-risk mask-off settings, such as F&B establishments, gyms and fitness studios, and personal care services
- Individuals working at our borders or COVID-19 frontliners
- Public service
These workplaces will have to adopt a “vaccinate or regular test regime”.
Loser #2 Hotels (Maybe?)
From 20 August 2021, 2359 hours, all fully vaccinated travellers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Switzerland may opt-out of dedicated SHN facilities. Instead, they can serve their 14-day SHN at their respective place of residence or other suitable accommodation if:
- They had remained in the respective countries in the last consecutive 21 days prior to arriving in Singapore
- Will be staying in accommodation alone or with household members who are also vaccinated persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN
As the list of countries will be updated going forward, hotels may be a loser – seeing less people having to stay in their premises.
Singapore citizens and PRs can make the application via the SafeTravel website three days prior to their arrival. Other travellers can apply from 20 August 2021. All travellers have to present the approval to opt-out upon their arrival in Singapore. Those who successfully opt-out will have to don an electronic monitoring device for their entire SHN period.
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