Singapore reimposes coronavirus curbs as karaoke bar cluster upends reopening plans
- A cluster involving at least 120 people linked to nightlife establishments has resulted in over 2,000 being sent into quarantine
- Tighter social distancing measures were also imposed, with only two unvaccinated people allowed to dine together
The Health Ministry also said it would revert to tighter social distancing measures, with unvaccinated people only allowed to dine together in pairs in restaurants, while fully vaccinated individuals could continue eating out in groups of up to five at establishments that have sufficient checks in place. But only two people would be allowed to dine together at hawker centres, coffee shops and food courts, regardless of vaccination status. Workplace social events were also not permitted.
“This is a major setback in our journey to recovery and I understand many Singaporeans will be disappointed, and so are we. We must respond to this emerging cluster quickly, especially to protect those who have not yet been vaccinated completely,” said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong.
While nightlife establishments have remained closed in Singapore since last October, the government allowed some to become food and beverage outlets, even offering grants for them to “pivot” to a new business model.
But “clandestine and illegal activities” by several of these outlets led to a new cluster that now accounts for 120 infections, authorities said on Friday.
More than 400 nightlife outlets that had shifted their business models would be shut until the end of the month for staff to get tested, with officials checking on their Covid-19 protocols.