• Mandatory check-in to high traffic venues via TraceTogether-only SafeEntry was scheduled for June 1
• It will now be brought forward to May 17 due to an increase in Covid-19 community cases
• This applies for venues with a high number of visitors and where people may be close together for some time
• Examples include malls, workplaces, eateries and schools

SINGAPORE — As Covid-19 cases in the community have been on the rise in recent weeks, compulsory TraceTogether-only SafeEntry check-ins at high traffic venues will be brought forward by two weeks to May 17.

This means that other methods used for SafeEntry check-in, such as scanning the venues Quick Response (QR) code, and using the SingPass mobile application, will be discontinued from May 17, rather than June 1 as previously announced.

However, to help members of the public get on to the new system, individuals may still check into venues by scanning the barcodes of personal identification cards until May 31, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Tuesday (May 4).

The new rule will apply at venues with high visitorship or venues that are likely to have people be in close proximity for prolonged periods such as malls, workplaces and schools, the Smart Nation Digital Office (SNDGO) said in a separate statement.

The agency said that the move is to “achieve greater coverage and active participation in the TraceTogether programme, especially for venues or settings where community spread is most likely to occur”.

“This will strengthen digital contact tracing and help us better manage the recent rise in community cases… With more effective digital contact tracing, the speed of isolating close contacts will be raised.”

It added that the combined use of the TraceTogether app or token, and SafeEntry check-ins, has enabled the authorities to reduce the average time taken to contact trace from four days to fewer than one-and-a-half days.

Examples of businesses and venues that have to provide mandatory TraceTogether-only SafeEntry check-ins include:

• Workplaces (including offices, factories)

• Solemnisations and weddings venues

• Funeral parlours with wake halls, funerals and funerary events

• Hotels and hostels

• Banks and financial institutions

• Providers of retail, personal and food-and-beverage (F&B) services

• Schools and educational institutions

• Tuition and enrichment venues

• Places of worship

• Healthcare facilities

The full list of TraceTogether-only SafeEntry venues may be found on the SafeEntry website.

MORE VENUES TO DEPLOY SAFEENTRY GATEWAY

From June 15, more high traffic venues such as F&B dine-in outlets, hostels, and sports and fitness centres must install the SafeEntry Gateway device to control the spread of Covid-19, SNDGO said.

The SafeEntry Gateway device allows the public to check into venues by using their TraceTogether contact-tracing tokens or mobile phones with the TraceTogether app near the receiver, much like how one uses an EZ-Link transit card on public transport.

Venue operators may either choose to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway through a physical SafeEntry Gateway box or the SafeEntry Gateway function on the SafeEntry (Business) app.

Businesses who wish to use the SafeEntry Gateway box should apply to receive the device on the SafeEntry website.

The full list of venues required to deploy the SafeEntry Gateway may also be found on the website.

TRACETOGETHER TOKEN BATTERY REPLACEMENT

SNDGO said that TraceTogether token users should check if their token is working by looking out for a green light that blinks about once every minute.

If the token is blinking red, or if there is no light at all, users should replace the token at any community centre or club, or at a token replacement booth set up at selected malls.

Those who have not collected the token may do so at any community centre or club islandwide.

More information is available at the TokenGoWhere website.