In a conference held by the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force yesterday (May 28), Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that phase 2 of Singapore’s circuit breaker reopening could start before the end of June.
The shift from Phase 1 to the next will depend on the number of COVID-19 transmissions in the community in the first two weeks of June, he added.
If infection rates remain low and stable, then we will decide by middle of June whether or not we want to take the next step to Phase 2. This means Phase 2 could happen before end of June.
– Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong
Earlier this month, the Singapore authorities had announced initial plans to gradually lift the circuit breaker measures in three phases from June 2.
What Will Be Allowed In Phase 2?
In Phase 2, retail shops, consumer services and sports facilities such as stadiums and swimming pools will be allowed to reopen.
People would also be able to dine in at food outlets, subject to a maximum of five people.
Social gatherings of up to five people will be allowed. Within the home, households may receive up to five visitors per day, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
There is no magic number … we think that five is a reasonable balance due to the assessment of risk.
Five means that if an infection was to happen, then you limit that cluster to that group of five people who are together with that infection person at any one time.
If you obviously allow 10 people, then potentially the cluster that can form (and multiply) will be larger. If you set it on the other hand, very tightly — two people — then … potentially a lot of families will not be able to gather together.
– Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong
As for activities that involve large groups of people gathering in enclosed spaces like libraries, museums, bars, clubs and movie theatres, the Government will “take a more cautious approach” on when they can restart operations, Mr Wong said.
The authorities will begin discussions with businesses in this category to ensure that they have the safeguards in place that would allow them to operate again.
They may not reopen at the beginning of Phase 2 but they could still open up later “but still within Phase 2”, said Mr Wong.
In Phase 2, it will still be compulsory to wear a mask outside the house.
Seniors should continue to exercise extra caution and stay at home as much as possible, said MOH.
Featured Image Credit: Ore Huiying via Getty Images
