Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel for Singapore's nightlife industry. After being forced to close for almost nine months, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced in a joint statement that selected venues will be allowed to reopen with strict safe distancing measures in place.
In December, under a two-month pilot program, certain bars and pubs without a food license will be allowed to operate once again. But karaoke lounges and nightclubs will have to wait till January next year for the pilot to apply to them.
Those taking part must adopt safe management measures, including ensuring that all customers wear masks at all times except while eating and drinking. This includes customers who are on the dancefloor or singing.
And in line with existing regulations, alcohol cannot be sold, served or consumed after 10.30pm.
All customers entering karaoke lounges and nightclubs must also have tested negative for Covid-19 within the last 24 hours, via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or an antigen rapid test (ART).
MTI and MHA said the tests may be implemented by the pilot establishments on-site. Alternatively, customers may be required to get the test done at clinics prior to patronising the nightlife joints.
Additionally, CCTVs covering all common areas and rooms used for activities will need to be activated. Recordings must be stored for at least 28 days and will be up for regular review by enforcement agencies.
Those who breach the measures will not only face penalties under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, but may be removed from the pilot.
The announcement of the pilot scheme has also raised several concerns by industry players.
Mr Joseph Ong, the president of Singapore Nightlife Business Association said that the requirement that all customers having to test negative for Covid-19 24 hours before the end of their activity also means additional costs may have to be borne by the operators.
With higher costs and limited operating capacity, Mr Ong said the pilot scheme would not be viable for businesses in the long term.
While supportive of the move, Ms Francesca Way, founder of A Phat Cat Collective that operates bars Nineteen80 and Pinball Wizard, said the 10.30pm alcohol curfew should be relooked as most clubs actually start having customers only after 11pm.
“It would be tricky to get people to shift this behaviour to start and end clubbing before 10.30pm,” she said.
Some customers also said they are put off by the safe management measures and would not return to nightlife spots for the time being.
Project engineer Jun Wong, 26, said she would not resume her trips to the nightclubs yet as she has concerns over the coronavirus tests.
Others said they would avoid the businesses to minimise the chance of getting Covid-19.
Ms Jennifer Mai, 24, who works in social services, said she would not want to risk catching the virus in small enclosed spaces like karaoke rooms.
“If we wear masks, it is very stuffy and uncomfortable to sing, so I’d rather not for the time being,” said Ms Mai.