Singapore’s Phase 3 will begin on Dec 28

Singapore will move into Phase 3 of its COVID-19 reopening from Dec 28.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the announcement in a live broadcast on Monday (Dec 14). 

As part of the move to Phase 3, groups of up to eight will be allowed for social gatherings. Similarly, households can receive up to eight visitors.

“So eight people can dine out together, or visit someone’s home. This will make it easier to hold family get-togethers during the festive period,” said Mr Lee.

Capacity limits in public places such as malls, attractions and places of worship will be eased.  For malls and large standalone stores, the capacity limit will be increased from 10sqm to 8sqm per person, the Ministry of Health (MOH) added in a later statement. 

Attractions can start applying to the Singapore Tourism Board to increase their operating capacities to 65 per cent, up from the current 50 per cent.

At places of worship, the capacity for congregational and other worship services will be increased to 250 people. For congregational services, it must be in multiple zones of up to 50 people each.

Live performance elements will also be allowed at congregational and other worship services, as well as religious rites or prayers conducted at places of worship. Necessary safe management measures must be in place.

Up to 250 people will be allowed to attend indoor live performances, in zones of up to 50 people each. Meanwhile, capacity for outdoor live performances pilots will be expanded from 100 people to 250- people to ensure that the venues are able to safely manage larger outdoor performances and mitigate the gathering of peripheral crowds.

TraceTogether-only Safe Entry – the usage of either the TraceTogether app or TraceTogether token, will be implemented early next year, MOH added.

More easing of measures will be looked at and introduced during Phase 3 as well.

In his speech, Mr Lee warned that Singaporeans cannot be complacent because COVID-19 is still a threat even in Phase 3.  

“Each of us needs to play our part. By all means make use of the higher limits and reconnect with friends and family, but please do not abandon your mindset of watchfulness and caution,” Mr Lee said. “This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down or to hold a big party, imagining that the problem is gone.”

Mr Lee added that Phase 3 may be around for up to a year, depending on how soon vaccines become available to all Singaporeans.

COVID-19 vaccination will be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents, the Prime Minister added. The first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will reach Singapore by end of this month. There will be enough vaccines for all by the end September 2021.