Singapore authorities have eased restrictions for travellers from Taiwan, who can go about their activities freely if their PCR tests return negative. Photo Credit: Unsplash/shawnanggg
With 70% of its population fully vaccinated, Singapore is moving fast to restart its economy, announcing the return of in-person MICE events and easing entry rules for vaccinated travellers.
As of 10 August, MICE event pilots of up to 500 participants can take place if all participants are fully vaccinated, and are predominantly seated or standing in a fixed position during the event.
However, if participants are moving about during the event — for example, at exhibitions and networking functions — a maximum of 250 participants is allowed, even if all are vaccinated.
If not all participants are fully vaccinated, capacity is limited to 50 participants without the need for pre-event testing (PET).
If the Covid-19 situation remains stable, event capacities will be increased from 19 August. Meetings and conferences (where participants are fully vaccinated and predominately seated) will be able to host up to 1000 participants. While exhibitions and networking events will be increased to 500 participants.
MICE events will non-vaccinated participants will remain capped at 50 without the need for PET.
This is welcome news to local MICE planners, with a string of hybrid events planned for Q4. These include the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), which will take place from 8 to 12 November and feature global satellite events; and Speciality & Fine Food Asia, set for 8 to 10 December at Suntec Singapore.
Responding to enquiries from M&C Asia, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it expects to see a further easing of measures to accommodate larger events as the city-state fortifies its Covid-19 resilience.
"In the meantime, STB will continue to support event organisers as they decide on their next steps and ensure that the necessary Safe Management Measures (SMMs) are implemented," they said. "Event organisers who wish to pilot events that are above the current size limit, with food & beverage provided to participants, may continue to engage STB for their applications. However, approvals will be subjected to the SMMs applicable at the time."
To date, STB's Safe Business Events framework has been applied to more than 90 business events hosting close to 13,500 participants, with no incidences of virus transmission.
Geo Connect Asia 2021 is one of several MICE pilots that have taken place in Singapore since the pandemic, testing new technologies and hybrid meeting models.International borders reopening
The government is also taking steps to reestablish ties with the world.
In response to an improved situation, the Ministry of Health released a statement on 5 August that travellers from Taiwan who test negative for Covid-19 on arrival can now skip quarantine.
These travellers have to be in Taiwan for at least 21 days and must take a PCR test upon arrival in Singapore. If the result returns negative, they will be able to go about their activities freely without a 14-day quarantine.
Air Travel Passes have also been reinstated for short-term visitors entering Singapore on or after 12 August.
From 20 August 11.59pm, fully vaccinated travellers flying in from eight countries will also be able to opt out of serving quarantine at dedicated facilities, with the option to quarantine at home instead.
These countries are Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Korea, and Switzerland.
The Singapore government recognises vaccination regimens under the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing, including Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty, Moderna, Sinovac-Coronavc, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca's vaccines.
With hopes of realising quarantine-free travel by early September, the Lion City is now also accepting walk-ins at its 26 vaccination centres.