Minister for Education, Lawrence Wong, has just announced today, 14 May 2021, that the current size of group gatherings allowed will be reduced from five to two people, after a recent spike in COVID-19 community cases. This, along with other new measures, will fall under a ‘Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)’ period that will take effect from 16 May to 13 June 2021.
More importantly, dine-in across all F&B outlets, including hawker centres and food courts, will be ceased, from 16 May to 13 June 2021. “All F&B establishments will only be able to offer takeaway and delivery options. In line with this, wedding banquets will also have to cease because it’s a dining activity,” he announced. He also added that the two-people limit will apply across the board, so if from grocery shopping to exercising—but with a highly recommended mandate that everyone stays indoors as much as possible, and to leave home only for essentials.
There is a silver lining, however, in that, while the dine-in cessation period is stipulated as a month-long period, there will be a check-in in the first week of June 2021 to assess the situation. So, let’s all cross our fingers and do our part to stay safe.
When it comes to the workplace, working from home will be the default during this period, where events will be scaled down even further, with a cap of 50 attendees without pre-event testing and 100 attendees with pre-event testing. The operating capacity of attractions (that already have prior approval from the Ministry of Trade and Industry) will be shrunk down to 25% and museums and public libraries will operate at only 20% capacity. As for cinemas, only group sizes of two may be admitted and all food and beverage sales and consumption will be ceased during this period.
For more information on revised dine-in and other measures during the ‘Phase 2 Heightened Alert’ period, you may visit this site.
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