One-week grace period implemented for vaccinated-differentiated safe management measures in malls

A one-week grace period for the vaccinated-differentiated safe management measures for malls will take place to allow mall tenants and those who are unvaccinated to “ familiar themselves with the new restrictions. 

The announcement, made by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), comes after concerns were raised by the public. 

Authorities added that provisions will be made to allow some unvaccinated individuals to access medical and childcare related services in the malls. The MTI and ESG will provide more information before Oct 13, when the new rule kicks in. 

The new rule, first announced on Oct 9 by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce for COVID-19 (MTF), was designed to offer unvaccinated individuals further protection from the coronavirus. 

From Oct 13, unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed to enter attractions, shopping malls or dine-in at hawker centres and coffee shops. Those who are unvaccinated can still buy take-away food.  

Children aged 12 and below are exempted from this rule. 

The new rules come after Singapore entered the Stabilisation Phase, following a surge in cases. Singapore has recorded more than 2,000 cases daily since late September. During this phase, which will last until Oct 24, the limit for social gatherings and dining-in is capped at two persons. 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday that it will likely take three to six months for Singapore to reach the “new normal”. He cautioned that the next few months will be “trying”, but added that Singaporeans should not be “paralysed with fear”. 

Daily cases are expected to continue rising for some weeks, but PM Lee was hopeful that the number of cases will start declining within a month.