The capacity for physical Meet the People Sessions (MPS) will be increased from from Aug. 10, said the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The agency said in the statement that physical MPS were permitted at the start of Phase 2 on June 19.

However, these sessions could only be carried out if the number of people at the MPS venue was limited to five, and if necessary safety measures were in place.

NEA said in the statement that this limit will be raised to 50 people in total, but the limit is dependent on the size of the MPS venue.

Everyone at the session, from the MP, helpers, as well as residents, will be taken into account for the limit.

NEA also said: "Organisers of the MPS should also ensure that the necessary safe management measures, such as one metre separation between persons, SafeEntry requirement, a temperature-taking regime, are put in place."

Moving back from online

Many MPS sessions were moved online since around April when stricter social distancing measures kicked in, reported CNA.

Many of theses sessions remained online even after the General Election in July.

NEA said that raising the limit on the number of people that can be present at physical MPS sessions was "to further facilitate the conduct of MPS sessions and to be in-line with the gradual safe resumption of daily activities".

Top photo adapted from Baey Yam Keng and Aljunied GRC Facebook.