The Government will further ease the existing safe management measures (SMM) from 29 March 2022.
The new measures include allowing group sizes of 10 persons for mask-off social settings; allowing up to 75 per cent of employees to be at workplaces at any given time; making the wearing of masks optional while outdoors.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared the changes with the nation during a live broadcast on 24 March 2022.
Despite the new measures, Mr Lee urged the nation to not throw caution to the wind.
“Let us all continue to exercise personal and social responsibility – to keep ourselves well, to keep others safe, to avoid adding to the load on our healthcare workers. That way, even when new problems arise, we stand a much better chance of keeping things under control and staying on the path to a new normal,” said Mr Lee.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), daily infection numbers and COVID-19 hospitalisations have continued to decline steadily over the past week.
The average number of daily cases over the last seven days have fallen to under 10,000 cases, down from 13,000 the week before. COVID-19 hospitalisation numbers have also fallen, down from 1,238 to 951.
Incidences of severe illness have remained low. On 23 March 2022, there were 951 patients in hospital with COVID-19, out of which 117 patients required oxygen supplementation.
Safe distancing will continue to be encouraged but will not be required between individuals or groups during mask-on settings.
Similar to the increase of mask-off group sizes from five to 10, the maximum number of unique visitors per household will also be increased to 10 persons at any one time.
Mask-wearing will now be optional for outdoor settings but will still be required for indoor settings when people leave their homes. Indoor settings refer to places with clear entrances and exits such as buildings, shopping malls, public transport, and will include hawker centres and coffeeshops.
However, sheltered places with open access such as HDB void decks, retail block walkways, bus stops, and naturally ventilated bus interchanges will be regarded as outdoor areas.
While 75 per cent of employees may return to the office at any given time, workplaces will continue to align with the rules of social gatherings.
Additionally, events with less than 1,000 participants will not be subjected to capacity limits, while larger settings with more than 1,000 masked participants will be allowed to be increased to a 75 per cent capacity limit of the venue. Previously, these settings were only allowed to fill 50 per cent of the capacity limit.
The 1 metre safe distancing requirement must still be adhered to for mask-off events.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will also align the latest community measures for migrant workers living in dormitories.
From 1 April 2022, vaccinated migrant workers will no longer need to apply for Exit Passes to visit recreation centres. Unvaccinated workers must continue to apply for Exit Passes and fulfil their pre-visit Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before visiting these centres.
For vaccinated migrant workers wishing to make community visits, the quota of community visit slots will remain at 15,000 on weekdays, and 30,000 for weekends and public holidays. There will also no longer be a need to do pre-visit ART.
From 29 March 2022, Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) will no longer be required for workers working with vulnerable groups and selected essential services sectors.
With this change, the Government will also cease subsidies provided for companies on RRT on that date. Employers who wish to continue imposing regular testing at the workplace may do so at their cost.
Workers are still encouraged to self-test when they feel unwell or if they have had recent contact with an infected person.
From 1 April 2022, all fully vaccinated travellers and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below will be permitted to enter Singapore.
These travellers will not need to apply for entry approvals or take designated Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) transport.
They will, however, continue to be subjected to a pre-departure test within two days before their departure for Singapore. Travellers will neither be required to serve a Stay-Home Notice nor undergo testing when arriving in Singapore.
Non-fully vaccinated Long-Term Pass Holders (LTPHs) and Short-Term Visitors (STVs) aged 13 and above will still not be allowed to enter Singapore.
Exceptions will be made for LTPHs who are medically ineligible for vaccines, or who are aged between 13 to 17 and have been subjected to appropriate measures, as well as other valid entry approvals such as compassionate reasons.
The Government is also working towards the full resumption of land travel with Malaysia for fully vaccinated persons, said Transport Minister S. Iswaran.
From 1 April 2022, land travel between Singapore and Malaysia will resume for fully vaccinated travellers, without the need for quarantine or testing. This includes pre-departure and on-arrival tests.
The lift in travel restrictions will apply to all categories of travellers and modes of transport via the land border.
Mr Lee and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had spoken over the phone on 24 March 2022, and both leaders agreed that the neighbouring nations have made significant progress in vaccinating their populations.
Mr Lee said: "Singapore and Malaysia enjoy deep, warm and multi-faceted relations, as well as strong people-to-people ties. Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our transition towards living with COVID-19.
"It reflects the strong collaboration both sides have enjoyed throughout the pandemic and will help both countries emerge stronger from this crisis."
