Singapore reopening: social distancing rules explained and everything you can do now

Many restrictions from the 'circuit breaker' will continue in Phase 1, helping Singapore to open in a controlled fashion. You should still continue to leave home only for essential activities, and should wear a mask when doing so. 

Timeline: A few weeks 

What you can do:
- From June 2, you can receive two visitors per day from your immediate family (children or grandparents) 
- A portion of students can attend school, while some cohorts will alternate between home-based learning and returning to school for lessons
- Hairdressers and barbers will be allowed to resume all services, beyond just basic haircut services
- Home-based businesses that operate using delivery or collection models will be allowed to resume
- Marriage solemnisations can take place in-person, with up to 10 guests
- Places of worship can reopen for private worship. There’s a limit to a maximum of five members of the same household praying together at any one time

What you can't do: 
- Unfortunately, you still can't eat out. Many shops will remain closed and eateries can only provide takeaway services during this period 
- Retail shops and personalised services will remain closed
- You still can’t visit your siblings, relatives, friends, or partners
- Social gatherings still remain prohibited

If community transmission is kept low and stable over the next few weeks, we will be in a position to enter Phase 2, which means that a broader range of activities will resume safely. This is the phase most of us are looking forward to – but it's likely that it will be rolled out over a couple of months. 

Timeline: Over a few months 

What you can do: 
- Small social gatherings and dining in at food and beverage outlets could be allowed
- More firms and businesses, starting with food and beverage dine-in and retail outlets, gyms and fitness studios, and tuition and enrichment centres, will be allowed to reopen, with safe distancing measures in place 
- All students will return to school 
- Sports, recreation and outdoor facilities will start to reopen, subject to safe management practices

What you can't do: 
- Social, cultural, religious and business gatherings are still prohibited 
- Employers should ensure that those who can work from home continue to do so

In this phase, measures will be gradually eased until the nation reaches a "new normal". This is set to take place over a few months, until an effective vaccine or treatment for Covid-19 is developed. 

Timeline: Until a vaccine is available 

What you can do:
- Services and activities that involve significant prolonged close contact (such as spas and massages) would have been allowed to reopen 
- Similarly, activities in cinemas, theatres, bars, pubs and nightclubs should also have reopened 
- Social, cultural, religious and business gatherings or events should resume, with a limit on crowd sizes

What you can't do:
- Attend large events or gatherings