Nightlife bizs in S’pore, including nightclubs and discotheques, to fully reopen from Apr 19

Nightlife businesses, including nightclubs and discotheques, will be allowed to fully reopen later this month, on Apr 19.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced this in a joint media release on Monday (Apr 4).

All nightlife establishments have to keep to the safe management measures imposed on food and beverage (F&B) outlets, retail liquor establishments and live performances where applicable, MTI and MHA said.

For nightlife businesses that allow dancing as one of the intended activities, patrons have to produce a negative Antigen Rapid Test (ART) before entering the premises. The ART has to be supervised by a test provider approved by the Ministry of Health, either in-person or remotely. The COVID-19 test will be valid for 24 hours from the time of the test result. 

“The patron must get tested before the start of his/her visit; and at most 24 hours before the end of the attendance at the event or activity,” the authorities said.

Some of the rules to be observed include group sizes of up to 10 fully vaccinated people, with full vaccination-differentiated safe management measure checks implemented at entrances and mandatory mask-wearing indoors.

When masks are off, there is a safe distancing of at least 1m between individuals or groups required.

The authorities said enforcement actions will be taken under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, and the business will be liable for the issuance of Notice of Composition (NOC) and closure order, in the event of breaches.

Featured Image Credit: Zouk