We've already heard the good news that Singapore may enter Phase 3 by the end of 2020. But here's more good news: come Sunday (Nov 1), live performances can resume at performing arts venues and the premises of orchestras, choirs, dance groups and other arts and culture organisations.
According to an update by the National Arts Council (NAC) on its website, art galleries, some museums, community centres, hotel ballrooms and function rooms are among the venues permitted to resume live performances.
Some event spaces were also pre-selected as permitted venues.
They include Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, Suntec Convention Centre, Capitol Theatre, F1 Pit Building, indoor venues on Sentosa Island, Pasir Panjang Power Station, and indoor performance spaces on Royal Caribbean International and Dream Cruises.
However, it was also stressed that live performances at F&B establishments and wedding receptions will still be banned “regardless of venue”.
In a Facebook post, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong urged people to “go out (safely of course!) and support our artistes wholeheartedly”.
He said live performances are the “lifeblood of our arts and cultural sector” and they are also the most sustainable way to preserve craft and also maintain livelihoods.
He added: “Over the last few weeks, I met so many artists who yearn for the stage again. It is of course about livelihoods, but to many, it is not just about that. They just want to dance, sing, act. Perform. For an audience.”
He added that even as live performances resume, the safety of performers and audiences remains the top priority.
Permitted venues can host indoor live performances of up to two zones of 50 audience members, with safe management measures in place. Audiences should not move around the venue during the event, so there cannot be any free-standing zones, although they may move from point to point in their groups in between performance segments.
And it goes without saying, that audiences should remain masked at all times, groups should not be more than five people, and no intermingling between groups.
Here are some of the more detailed rules and what to expect at a live performance:
For audiences:
- No participation by singing or dancing, although speaking at a low volume while masked is allowed
- No physical interaction with performers, so do not expect autographs or photograph sessions!
- Audiences and performers have to keep a safe distance of 3m apart at all times, so venues without a clearly defined stage area will need to have floor markings to mark out this distance
- Due to trajectory of droplet projection, a safe distance of more than 3m is encouraged if the live performance is taking place on a stage which places performers at a higher vantage point
- There will be no intermissions or receptions before or after performances
- From Nov 24, it will be compulsory to check in by either scanning the QR code using the TraceTogether mobile app or by presenting the TraceTogether token to be scanned
For performers and crew:
- At any given time, a maximum of 30 performers and crew are allowed on stage and backstage, and only up to 10 of them can be unmasked.
- Unmasked performers should try to wear face shields while performing
- On stage, performers should maintain a distance of at least 1m away from each other. If they are singing, or the playing wind or brass instruments, then they should maintain at least a 2m distance from others
- Those playing wind or brass instruments should ensure that their instruments are fully intact, and refrain from training practices involving only parts of the instrument, such as buzzing their mouthpieces or playing with just the lead pipe, to prevent droplet transmission
- Liquids from instruments, such as condensation and saliva, should be collected and disposed of hygienically after the rehearsal or concert
More details can be found here. It seems like a really lengthy list, but that’s a small price to pay. We're really excited to be able to finally sit in theatre halls again!