Places of worship, malls and shops will be able to accommodate more people under Phase 3, which will start on Dec 28, but most notably, social gatherings of up to 8 people will be allowed - from a limit of 5 now.

This was announced by Singapore's Covid-19 Multi Ministry Taskforce on Dec 14.

For malls and large standalone stores, the capacity limit will be increased from 10 square metres per person to 8 square metres per person and attractions may also start applying to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to increase their operating capacity from 50% to up to 65%.

However, measures must continue to be put in place to prevent crowding in popular areas.

Religious organisations can increase their capacity for congregational and other worship services to up to 250 persons (in zones of up to 50 persons each for congregational services).

<hr/>SEE:<a href="https://www.theedgesingapore.com/news/singapores-tracetogether-halves-contact-tracing-time-says-leading-engineer" target="_blank">Singapore's TraceTogether halves contact tracing time, says leading engineer</a><hr/>

Congregational and other worship services, as well as religious rites/ prayers conducted at places of worship, may involve live performance elements (e.g. with a limited number of singers, wind and other instruments) with the necessary safe management measures in place. For marriage solemnisations held in the home, currently, a total of 10 persons (including members of the hosting household, excluding the solemniser and vendors) are allowed.

In Phase Three, the hosting household will be able to invite up to 8 visitors (excluding members of the hosting household, the solemniser and vendors), even if this exceeds the existing cap of 10 persons.

Marriage solemnisations (in indoor venues only), funerals and funerary-related activities will also be allowed to have live instrumental music (except for wind instruments) with the necessary safe management measures in place.

The MTF will continue to conduct pilots in some higher-risk activities and settings such as busking and live performances in outdoor venues, karaoke, nightlife, and will assess how these activities can take place and scale up safely.

“If the local COVID situation remains stable and we are able to deploy more of our enablers to allow more activities to resume safely, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce will consider allowing further resumption of activities, over the course of Phase Three,” states the MTF on Dec 14.

Speaking at a press conference, Education Minister Lawrence Wong elaborated that the MTF will further evaluate measures, and that “the approach we will take is to conduct pilots in some of these higher risk activities and settings in order to better understand the risks, before we decide to take a further move.”

He added, “we will continue to build up our capabilities, for example, with regard to testing. We will roll out and have more pervasive use of rapid antigen tests, particularly for larger scale events.” The taskforce also announced that TraceTogether-only SafeEntry, where the TraceTogether App or Token is required for SafeEntry check-ins, will only be implemented early next year.

This will be after everyone who wants a Token has had a chance to collect one at a Community Club or Centre in their constituency.

Until TraceTogether-only SafeEntry is implemented, visitors can still perform SafeEntry check-in via the TraceTogether App, SingPass Mobile, or QR reader apps, or use their identity cards with barcodes such as NRIC, Pioneer or Merdeka Generation cards, and so on.

Wong acknowledged that Phase 3 is “taking more risk”, and that people may let their guard down and be complacent, especially with the festive period round the corner.

Wong said that the MTF will be doing their “usual checks” around Singapore, and that safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officials will be on the ground.

“If we do see people who breach the rules, if we do see as F&B establishments, hotels, any outlet that breaches the rules. We will have to take enforcement actions, and these will be done without hesitation.” he said

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