Five things youth should know about latest COVID-19 measures starting Sep 27, 2021

From Monday (Sep 27), social gathering and dine-in will be reduced to 2 people as part of the latest COVID-19 measures to combat a spike in cases.

The measures, announced on Friday, will last until Oct 24. Authorities will review the measures two weeks after implementation and adjust these measures based on the community situation then.

Singapore has recorded more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases a day three times in the past week. On Thursday, there were a record high 1504 new cases, with 1218 from the community. 

“I know that many Singaporeans and businesses will be disappointed by today’s announcement,” Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry taskforce for COVID-19, said at a press conference.

He added that “the number of cases is likely to double to 3,200 a day by next week, and may even increase beyond that”.

Here are five things youth should know about the latest measures. 

Social gatherings will be reduced from the current limit of five to two. 

The limit also applies to the maximum number of unique household visitors allowed. However, the limit does not apply to grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren. 

Authorities also urged everyone to continue to limit themselves to one social gathering a day, whether they are visiting a different household, meeting their friends or family members in a public place.

They also urged everyone to reduce their social activities when possible.

From next month, MOH will also publish maps of areas frequented by a larger number of COVID-19 cases on its website too. 

The limit for dining-in at F&B outlets will be reduced to two across the board. Both diners will have to be fully vaccinated to dine in. 

Unvaccinated individuals with a valid negative pre-event test result, recovered people and children aged 12 and below may be included in the group of two.

However, F&B establishments that are not able to ensure the vaccination status of their customers will not be allowed to have dine-in customers. Instead, they can only operate takeaway and delivery services. 

The rules for dining-in at hawker centres and coffee shops remain unchanged.

Work from home will once again become the default, and those who are unable to do so are strongly encouraged to undergo ART tests weekly. The previously announced ‘snap’ work from home system will be suspended.

Employees who work from home but are required to return to the office will need to test negative for an ART test before they are allowed to return. No social gatherings at workplaces are allowed, and workers should not be cross-deployed to multiple worksites.

Gyms and fitness studios will be allowed to remain open.

For indoor mask-off activities, up to 30 people split into groups of two are allowed and everyone has to be vaccinated.

For indoor mask-on activities or outdoor activities, up to 50 people split into groups of two are allowed and this is irrespective of vaccination status.  

Event measures will not change, and large-scale events, including congregational and other worship services, cinemas, MICE, live performances, spectator sport events, can still have up to 1000 participants if all are fully vaccinated.

Eight regional centres and three quick test centres will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, to facilitate prompt testing.

Currently, individuals with acute respiratory symptoms can visit Swab and Send Home (SASH) clinics to take a confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test, but these clinics are not open on weekends.

Visits to these centres are by appointments only to prevent overcrowding. Those who need to take a PCR swab test can book their appointments between Friday, 6pm and Sunday, 3pm.