• The Ministry of Health outlined new restrictions on group gatherings 
• From May 8, large sporting events will be suspended for three weeks
• Weddings, funerals and live performances will need to abide by new rules

SINGAPORE — For three weeks, starting May 8, big sporting events will be suspended and events such as weddings and live performances will have to abide by new testing rules and capacity limits.

The new rules come as the authorities are putting in place stricter safety measures to minimise the likelihood of large Covid-19 cluster formations, amid a rise in community cases in recent weeks.

In a statement on Tuesday (May 4), the Ministry of Health laid out the new measures, which will last until May 30.

Congregational and other worship services

• As a new requirement, pre-event testing will be required if there are more than 100 attendees at any one time, capped at 250 attendees. 

• To further reduce the risks of transmission, congregational singing will be suspended at religious organisations to manage any risk of spread.

Weddings

• Marriage solemnisations may proceed with up to 250 attendees in total, including the wedding couple but excluding the licensed solemniser and vendors for the entire event — in zones of up to 50 attendees

• Pre-event testing will be required for the wedding couple for solemnisations involving more than 50 attendees

• Similarly, wedding receptions may proceed with up to 250 attendees in total, including the wedding couple but excluding vendors for the entire event — in zones or time slots of up to 50 attendees each

• Due to the higher risk at receptions where people are unmasked while enjoying their meals and come into close and prolonged contact mingling with one another, pre-event testing for all attendees, including the wedding couple, will be required for wedding receptions involving more than 50 attendees

Funerals

• Attendees on the day of the burial or cremation will be limited to no more than 30 persons, down from 50 persons now

• The cap for other days of the wake remains at 30 attendees at any one time

• Pre-event testing is not required but attendees must maintain safe distancing and keep masks on at all times

Seated spectator or participation sports events

• All mass participation sports events will be suspended and no spectators will be allowed

Live performances at designated venues, pilot business-to-business events

• The maximum number of attendees allowed will be reduced from 750 to 250

• Pre-event testing will be required for all attendees of these events if there are more than 100 attendees

Cinemas

• Movie-goers at cinemas are capped at 100 attendees, with the potential to increase to 250 attendees with the extra requirement of pre-event testing

Museums and public libraries

• Operating capacity will be reduced from 65 per cent to 50 per cent

Tours

• The maximum tour size offered by tour operators and tourist guides will be reduced from 50 to 20 attendees

Attractions

• Operating capacity will be reduced from 65 per cent to 50 per cent

• Both indoor and outdoor shows at tourist attractions must be capped at 100 people, without pre-event testing