The COVID-19 pandemic is a bit like riding a roller coaster just after eating a big meal.

There’s always this impending sense of doom, and nausea is ever-present.

At some point in the last three months, our COVID-19 roller coaster seems to have malfunctioned and halted right at the moment we were going through an inversion, leaving us hanging in mid-air upside down.

The roller coaster has since started moving again, and we’re now slowly returning back to the station.

Several measures eased on 10 Aug, including dining in at F&B establishments and other mask-off activities, to the joy of residents all over the country.

If our COVID-19 situation remains stable, even more restrictions will be relaxed on 19 Aug, in the second of a two-step approach to reopening our economy.

So, what can we look forward to?

Relaxed Telecommuting Requirements and Removal of Temperature Screening Requirement 

Work from home requirements will be eased, which, depending on your situation and the number of children you have, could be a godsend or something to dread.

Up to 50% of employees who are able to work from home will be allowed to return to the workplace, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said earlier this month.

Additionally, the requirement for temperature screening in public places will be removed.

With high vaccination coverage, transmission among vaccinated individuals, and severe cases of infection in vaccinated individuals are likely to be substantially lower, MOH explained.

Plus, we now fish out infections through increased surveillance measures including self-test antigen rapid test (ART) kits and rostered routine testing with fast and easy tests (FETs) in higher-risk settings, so there’s no real need for temperature screening anymore.

Increase in Event Sizes & Capacity Limits 

The authorities will also increase event sizes and capacity limits for several activities and settings.

If fully vaccinated, up to 1,000 attendees will be allowed in:

• congregational and other worship services
• cinemas
• Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE)
• live performances
• spectator sport events
• marriage solemnizations

Otherwise, only up to 50 attendees will be allowed without pre-event testing.

There will be no changes to wedding receptions and funerals.

In addition, the operating capacity of attractions and cruises will be increased from 25% to 50%.

Museums and public libraries will also be allowed to operate at an increased operating capacity of 50%, MOH said.

As for shopping malls and showrooms, the occupancy limits will be increased from 16 sqm per person of the gross floor area to 10 sqm per person. In English, this means more people will be allowed to enter malls and showrooms.

Option For 14-Day SHN For Fully Vaccinated Travellers

Here’s the one you’ve all been waiting for.

From 20 August 2021, 2359 hrs, fully vaccinated travellers from specific countries may be able to apply to opt-out of dedicated stay-home notice (SHN) facilities and serve their 14-day SHN at their respective places of residence or other suitable accommodation.

This will apply to travellers from:

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• Germany
• Italy
• Norway
• The Republic of Korea
• Switzerland

To qualify, travellers must have spent the last consecutive 21 days in the above-mentioned countries prior to arriving in Singapore.

If serving their SHN in their place of residence, they must do so alone, or only with household members who are also fully vaccinated with the same travel history, and who are serving an SHN with the same duration.

Applications must be made three days prior to arrival via the SafeTravel website.

All other travellers – those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated – from the aforementioned countries must continue to serve the SHN in a dedicated SHN facility.

Watch this video to the end to understand the importance of vaccination:

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