Singapore to start easing COVID-19 restrictions after infections fall (updated)

Sats

10/06/2021 10:13

By Chen Lin
    SINGAPORE, June 10 (Reuters) - Singapore will start a phased
easing of its COVID-19 restrictions from next week, including
allowing up to five people to gather from two currently, after a
fall in the number of new infections, the health ministry said.
    The city-state had reimposed curbs on gatherings and public
activities last month amid a rise in locally acquired infections
and with new clusters forming. 
    Larger gatherings will be allowed from Monday, while
restaurants will be able to resume dine-in services from June 21
if infections remain under control, the ministry said.
    The city-state will also from Friday extend its vaccination
drive to include citizens aged 39 years old and under and those
who have previously recovered from COVID-19.
    The easing of measures will be accompanied by regular
mandatory COVID-19 testing for staff working at settings with
unmasked clients such as gyms and restaurants in coming months,
the ministry said.
    Singapore regulators had also approved four coronavirus
self-testing kits for sale to the public, it said. 
    As of Wednesday, around 2.5 million or 44% of the Singapore
population had received at least the first dose of a vaccine, of
which about 1.9 million had received two doses to be fully
vaccinated. 
    Singapore authorities expect 50% of its population will be
vaccinated by August.
    The Straits Times Index share  .STI  index rose after the
announcement, with aviation ground-handling firm SATS Ltd
 SATS.SI  and Singapore Airlines  SIAL.SI  each up more than 2%.
    Singapore reported four new locally-transmitted coronavirus
cases on Thursday.

 (Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore
Editing by Ed Davies)
 ((LinChen1@thomsonreuters.com;))