Singapore to implement three-phase reopening plan

Some manufacturing and healthcare businesses will be allowed to resume on 2 June.

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce revealed plans for the gradual reopening of businesses following the circuit breaker period on 2 June, comprising three phases, according to a press conference.

For the first phase, which is described as a ‘safe reopening’ as not all businesses resume operations. Some healthcare services will resume, including specialist outpatient services, medical and dental procedures and preventive health services. Schools are also allowed to gradually reopen, says Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong.

Food services will also be allowed to operate, but only for takeaway and delivery services. However, the minister stated that whilst retail shops and personalised services are not planned for reopening in phase one, they may be prepared for phase two.

As for manufacturing firms, those under the marine and offshore, process construction and maintenance industries, which employ marine and process work permit holders, will be subject to separate timelines and arrangements established by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Gan assured that the government will continue to support the businesses and their workers who are unable to reopen from 2 June onwards. Strict preventive measures such as social distancing will continue to be observed.

“We may have to continue with Phase 1 for a few weeks and continue with quite strict measures for quite some time more; because if we were to open up too quickly and allow all these social activities to restart, there is a risk that the virus will flare up and we might see many more cases and clusters forming,” Gan said.

Following this, the second phase is a ‘safe transition’ which sees the gradual reopening of more activities. It may take several months before arriving to phase three, dubbed as the “new normal”, Gan said.

Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information

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