SINGAPORE – Singapore today announced a ban on dine-in and cut group sizes to two people as it further toughens Covid-19 curbs to stem a rise in local transmissions.
After a partial lockdown and a rigorous regime of testing and contact-tracing, the coronavirus had almost disappeared in the city state, with authorities reporting hardly any local transmissions in recent months.
Over the last few weeks, however, cases have risen, with officials announcing several new clusters, including one at the airport comprising 46 cases, mostly among people working there.
Starting Sunday, group sizes in public or when visiting homes are restricted to two people, down from the current five.
Dine-in at restaurants will be banned, and all employees who can work from home must do so, officials told a news conference.
The measures, which will be in place until June 13, resemble those imposed during a partial lockdown last year, during which the economy suffered its worst-ever recession.
The rise in local transmissions will likely scupper a quarantine-free travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong, due to begin on May 26 after an earlier failed attempt.
Given the rise in cases, it is “very likely that Singapore will not be able to meet the resumption criteria”, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung, adding that a decision will be made next week.
Singapore already reduced group sizes and closed gyms last week in an attempt to stop the surge in infections.
Yesterday, authorities banned non-passengers from entering the airport terminal and closed an adjacent mall as around 9,000 workers undergo testing.
The country had to fight serious Covid-19 outbreaks last year when the illness surged through crowded dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers, infecting tens of thousands.
But by global standards, its outbreak has been mild – officials in the city of 5.7 million have reported about 61,000 cases so far, including 31 deaths. – AFP, May 14, 2021
