MOH reminds public that masks must be worn when dining out except only when eating, drinking
Diners at Market Street Interim Hawker Centre in the Central Business District on June 19, 2020 — the first day of Phase Two of the circuit breaker exit.
SINGAPORE — Masks must be worn at all times when dining out except when one is eating or drinking, and social interactions should be limited to a small and regular group of contacts, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday (June 24).
In reply to media queries, MOH said that individuals and businesses should seek to “abide by the spirit of the various measures taken” so that “we can protect ourselves and one another against being infected by Covid-19”.
Since the lifting of more restrictions on movement and activities last Friday (June 19), members of the public have been able to dine in at food shops and restaurants.
From this Friday onwards, congregational and other types of worship services, capped at 50 people, will also be permitted.
MOH said that as Singapore resumes more economic and community activities, there is an increased risk of a resurgence in community transmission as seen in other countries.
“Hence, we must remain vigilant and disciplined in how we go about our daily activities.”
The ministry stressed that masks must be worn at all times to prevent droplets from spreading the coronavirus.
The exceptions are when one is performing strenuous activities or when eating or drinking, it said.
When not wearing a mask, people should minimise talking or singing to reduce the risk of droplets spreading. The masks should then be worn immediately after completing the strenuous activities or after drinking or eating.
MOH emphasised that masks should not be removed for the whole duration while dining out. It is permitted only when one is eating or drinking.
“Masks are not permitted to be removed for the sole purpose of talking to others,” it added.
Another important reminder is that the public should limit their social interactions to a small and regular group of contacts “as far as possible”.
Gatherings of a group of up to five people — without safe distancing of 1m between individuals — are allowed, but there will be the risk of “super-spreading” if an infected person meets up with multiple groups of five people over a course of a day or week.
“Hence, we should continue to exercise social responsibility and limit our total interactions to a small and regular group of contacts, while continuing to keep in touch with family and friends via digital and other non-physical means where possible,” MOH said.
Physical distancing remains an important measure to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
As a general rule, one must maintain safe distancing of at least 1m from another person at all times.
Where exceptions are permitted, groups of up to five people must maintain 1m from the “nearest points of different groups, persons or tables” so as to limit the spread of the virus to “just a single group”.
“This includes food-and-beverage outlets and other public premises, where the 1m distance between groups should also be measured from the nearest points of each group, for example, from shoulder to shoulder, from back to back, or the closest edges of their seats,” MOH said.
“For sports, especially where participants are engaging in strenuous activity and not wearing masks, a wider distance of 2m to 3m or more between individuals should be observed.”
As of Wednesday, Singapore has recorded a total of 42,623 cases of Covid-19. It trails behind Indonesia, which has the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.
