Singapore will take the most important step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since Tuesday (March 29).

As the number of COVID-19 cases increased and decreased, the allowable group size varied from eight people to five and then two, and most recently from five.

At some point, children cannot go to school and residents often work from home.

Last week, however, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the release of various steps to "the main step towards life with COVID-19", but stopped at the full opening. .

Starting tomorrow, people can take off their veils when they are out. Individuals can meet and dine in restaurants in groups of up to 10 people. Many people will see their colleagues from the office and return live performances.

"Strive for a more normal life, enjoy a lot of meetings with family and friends, go out without a mask or meet loved ones abroad. But don't throw it all away. Watch out for the wind," Mr Lee said in his speech. last week.

Here is a summary of what will change tomorrow:

1. Wearing an outdoor mask may be optional

It is still necessary to wear a mask inside. This applies to all buildings or areas with clearly defined passages or exits, according to the Ministry of Health (MZ).

For example, people have to wear veils in office buildings, shopping malls, public transport and in classrooms.

Hawker centers, cafes, wet markets and other HDB retail stores as well as shopping malls are also considered indoor spaces.

Areas that are hidden but have an open passage are usually considered remote areas. These include HDB trails, bus stops, sheltered footpaths and open-air bridges, as well as parks, fields and nature trails.

The rule of a safe distance of 1 meter is still required in all environments without a mask.

2. The size of the group for social gatherings doubled from five to 10 people

Individuals can gather in groups of up to 10 people, previously up to five. The largest group size allowed on the previous return to safe driving measures was eight people. This means that each household can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests at a time. Groups of 10 prisoners are also allowed to eat and drink.

This will also apply to café centers and cafés, where a full inspection of safe management measures according to vaccination (VDS) is carried out at their entrances, the Ministry of Health stated.

To reduce the operational burden on F&B operators, all companies will be allowed to settle small groups of up to five fully imprisoned persons without the need for full VDS testing as they pass. .

However, random checks will be carried out to ensure that only the rules for vaccinated dinners are followed, according to the Ministry of Health. The current ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol will be lifted at F&B sites from March 29 to 10:30 p.m. Live performances can also continue in all halls.

Performers should comply with existing safety management measures, such as maintaining a size 10 group.

Broadcasting live and recorded entertainment at F&B premises is again permitted.

3. Up to 75% of employees who can work from home can return to work

Be prepared to see many more colleagues (or employers) in the office. As of March 29, up to 75 percent of home workers can return to work, up from the current 50 percent mark.

The rules for social gatherings in the workplace can be the same as for social institutions, as long as the general rules for group size and camouflage apply.

From March 29, workers in all sectors will no longer have to go through routine tests.

On 18 February, the Ministry of Health tightened the requirements for standardized tests only for health care workers, care for the elderly and people working with children under the age of five, as well as some key service workers. Previously, the requirement applied to groups such as frontier workers, transport workers, hostel workers, service providers and also people working with children under 12.

This will also end state subsidies provided by companies for the schedule of routine testing, the Ministry of Health said.

Larger meetings and events such as gala dinners, corporate dinners and dance activities, birthdays and anniversaries can also continue.

There should be no more than 10 people at one table and a safe distance of 1 m between the tables.

4. From 1 April, Singapore will reopen its borders to all fully imprisoned passengers

In addition, all vaccinated itineraries and unilateral opening measures will be removed, the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority said last week.

Singapore will move to a new simplified framework for vaccine travel, where countries and regions will be divided into two categories - general travel as a limited category.

All fully vaccinated travelers, including children aged 12 and under, can enter Singapore with a COVID-19 test before 11:59 PM on March 31.

They no longer have to apply for permission to enter Singapore without quarantine or travel by VTL. Quotas for the number of daily arrivals are also being removed. Although travelers still have to take a pre-test within two days of departure to Singapore, they no longer need to report at home or undergo an unattended rapid antigen test (ART) upon arrival in Singapore. .

Holders of long-term cards and short-term visitors aged 13 and over who have not been fully vaccinated may not be generally allowed in Singapore. This includes holders of long-term passports who are not entitled to faxes, such as those who have a valid entry check, for example for reasons of compassion.

In this group, they must pass a pre-flight test two days before leaving for Singapore, give seven days' notice at home and undergo a polymerase reaction test. chain to their period of diversity.