Singapore lifting most COVID-19 restrictions from Apr 26: Five things youths should know
There will no longer be limits on group sizes for social gatherings.
With COVID-19 cases falling and stabilising, Singapore will adjust the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level from Orange to Yellow from Apr 26, announced the Multi-Ministerial Taskforce (MTF) on Friday (Apr 22).
The adjustment will see most COVID-19 measures, including safe distancing and group size limits, lifted.
In announcing the biggest relaxation of measures in Singapore yet, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong called it “a very significant step forward” and said Singapore is close to the finish line.
However, he also urged Singaporeans to “continue to exercise personal and social responsibility” and keep faith with one another to see through this pandemic.
“Let us all cherish the hard-earned relaxations and resume more normal lives,” he added.
Here are five changes taking place from Apr 26 that youth should know.
1. No more limits on group sizes
There will no longer be a requirement to keep to a group size of 10 people for mask-off activities. The current limit on unique household visitors per day will be similarly lifted.
The capacity limit of 75 per cent for events with more than 1000 people will also be removed.
2. Removal of TraceTogether and Safe Entry for most venues
Safe Entry check-ins and the use of TraceTogether token and app will not be required. This is with the exception of larger events with crowd sizes of over 500 people, nightlife establishments which allow for dancing, and food and beverage businesses.
Health Risk Notices (HRN) will also no longer be issued, as COVID-19 cases will not be required to upload their TraceTogether data. However, those planning to enter a nightclub, go to a gala dinner or wedding where VDS applies should still keep their TraceTogether app or token.
Vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) will also be eased from Apr 26. VDS will be removed from all settings, apart from events with more than 500 participants at any one time, nightlife establishments where dancing is involved and F&B establishments.
Safe distancing between individuals or groups will also no longer be required.
3. Mask-wearing will still be required in indoor settings
Masks must still be worn in all indoor settings, including public transport. It is optional when outdoors.
However, employees will not be required to wear masks at their workplace, unless they have physical interactions with others or work in customer-facing areas.
4. All employees may return to the workplace
The workplace capacity of 75 per cent will be lifted from Apr 26, allowing all employees to return to their offices.
However, the Ministry of Health has encouraged employers to retain and promote flexible work arrangements as a permanent feature of the workplace.
Telecommuting and staggered work hours will also help workers avoid peak period crowds as more return to the workplace.
5. Pre-departure tests no longer needed for fully vaccinated travellers
Travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not need to take any pre-departure tests to enter Singapore from Apr 26.
However, this excludes travellers who are not fully vaccinated and are aged 13 and above.
The unvaccinated travellers are still required to take a pre-departure test within two days before departure. Upon arrival, they will need to undergo a seven-day stay-home notice and take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before the end of the notice period.
