Start of simplified COVID-19 measures postponed due to surge in cases

The simplified COVID-19 measures that were due to start on Feb 25 have been postponed by the Ministry of Health, it announced on Thursday (Feb 24).  

This comes after a surge in Omicron cases that saw over 20,000 daily cases, including a new high of 26,032 on Feb 22. 

The revised rules would have allowed social gatherings of up to five people in workplaces,  with workers no longer required to social distance as long as masks remained on. Team sports of up to 30 people would be allowed, while each household could host up to five people at any one time. 

MOH stated that the current measures will be kept in place for now, but a new date for the revised measures will be announced “shortly”.

“As this streamlining exercise involves extensive amendments to existing regulations that have accumulated over the past two years, we announced then that the changes will be implemented in phases, on Feb 25 and Mar 4, 2022,” said MOH. 

“Given the current surge in daily cases, and the extensive work involved in going through the detailed rules across different settings, the MTF has reviewed the matter and has decided to consolidate and streamline the safe management measures in one go instead.”