With Phase 3 looming uncertainly on the horizon, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) has laid out several "conditions and enablers" for Singapore to eventually reach it.

This topic was addressed in a virtual press conference on Oct. 20.

Key enablers include:

• Small group sizes

  • This slows down the rate of virus transmission and reduces the risk of super-spreading events.

• Safe distancing

  • This reduces the risk of spread.

• Social responsibility

  • This includes mask-wearing and personal hygiene. Persons with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should visit the doctor promptly and follow up with a swab test.

•  SafeEntry and TraceTogether

  • This will allow the government to quickly contact trace and ringfence any infections.

According to MTF, these factors will work together to keep community transmission low even as the country progressively resumes more activities.

What will Phase 3 look like?

While the exact date for Phase 3 has yet to be announced, MTF has given Singapore residents a rough idea of what it will look like.

For a start, the group size for gatherings outside the home could be increased from the present five persons to eight persons.

The number of visitors allowed to homes would similarly increase to eight.

Capacity limits of public venues (e.g. museums and attractions) might be increased as well. This would be accomplished in the form of multiple zones of 50 persons.

The increase will be done in a controlled manner, and additional measures will apply for specific settings.

For instance, at a high-risk event like wedding receptions, an expansion in the number of attendees will require all guests to go through a pre-event test.

The government may also request video and photographic footage of such events, to facilitate checks and investigations against any breaches of the safe management rules.

Bars, KTV, and nightclubs not expected to open

Unfortunately, higher-risk settings like bars, pubs, karaoke lounges, and nightclubs are not expected to open at the start of Phase 3.

However, the government is "prepared to consider" a few limited pilots in these settings, subject to a more stringent set of measures, including pre-entry testing, to explore safe resumption.

"We will discuss these possibilities with the nightlife industry. But we have to be realistic that it will take a long time for the industry to fully re-open in its original form," MTF said.

Where there is non-resumption, assistance packages will be made available to help business operators and owners transit and pivot to new areas.

Gradually allowing travel

As it is not possible for Singapore to keep its borders closed indefinitely, the government will gradually pave the way for more travel to resume in a safe manner.

Through the unilateral opening of borders and Air Travel Bubbles, travellers from low-risk countries/regions will be allowed to enter Singapore with a Covid-19 test, and without the need to serve a Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

Although travelers from higher-risk countries/ regions are currently subject to SHN, the government is exploring ways to deploy more frequent testing, coupled with other safeguards, to do away with SHN.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong emphasised that these measures will be implemented progressively, so residents should not expect a "big bang" where the restrictions are loosened in one go.

The MTF also added that Phase 3 is not a return to pre-Covid times, but will instead entail new ways of working and living.

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Top image via Clean and Green Singapore/Facebook