In line with its move to treat Covid-19 as endemic, Singapore is set to further ease restrictions from Tuesday to allow more businesses and social activities to resume.
“With many of us already exposed to the virus and recovered, our population has stronger immunity. Crucially, our healthcare system remains resilient,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech on Mar 24.
Starting Mar 29, people will be allowed to gather socially in groups of up to 10 persons double the 5-person cap restriction that is currently in place.
The number of employees who can return to workplaces will also increase to 75%, from the current 50%. Meanwhile, the capacity limit for larger events and settings – which have over 1,000 people – will be increased to 75%.
Additionally, the wearing of masks outdoors will be made optional. This is because the risk of outdoor transmission is significantly lower, Lee noted. He added that mask-wearing will still be mandatory indoors.
Meanwhile, the one-meter safe distancing requirement between groups will still be maintained in mask-off settings so as to minimise the transmission of the coronavirus, said Lee.
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These changes come in tandem with a substantial easing in cross-border travel, in hopes of reconnecting Singapore with the world.
“It will give a much-needed boost to businesses, particularly the tourism sector. And help Singapore reclaim its position as a business and aviation hub,” said Lee.
“Arrivals from abroad constitute only a very small proportion of cases. We can therefore safely open up our borders,” he added.
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Even as Singapore looks to ease restrictions, Lee cautioned that Covid-19 may bring further surprises.
As such, the republic is maintaining its “measured approach which has served us well over the past two years,” he stressed.
“We will wait a while to let the situation stabilise. If all goes well, we will ease up further,” said Lee, adding that we must be psychologically prepared for more twists and turns ahead with more interactions.
Cover image of PM Lee: Bloomberg
