Updated Advisory for Safe Management Measures at Retail Establishments and Lifestyle-Related Services
21 March 2022
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Who Should Know:
Mall developers, building owners, retail business owners
This joint advisory updates on the Safe Management Measures (SMMs) for Retail and Lifestyle-Related Services Establishments.
Updates on Safe DistancingFrom 15 March 2022, safe distancing in all mask-on settings (such as queues and waiting areas) is encouraged but will not be required between individuals or groups. Safe distancing will continue to be required in all mask-off settings, including those where F&B is served and consumed.
Premises operators should spread crowds out as evenly as possible.
Updates on Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS)All malls, large standalone stores and establishments providing personal care services are required to conduct VDS checks.
From 15 March 2022, the following updates to Vaccination-Differentiated SMMs (VDS) will apply:
Retail and lifestyle-related establishments within premises, such as shopping malls, which already require VDS upon entry, no longer need to conduct their own VDS checks. However, they will still need to conduct VDS checks if they operate outside the hours of the premises or have their own direct entrances separate from the mall entrance.
VDS must be implemented for all events, irrespective of event size and whether food is served. This also applies to events held at retail and lifestyle-related services establishments, unless they are located within premises that already require VDS upon entry.
Any unvaccinated child aged 12 years and below (i.e. born in or after 2010) can be included within a group entering premises or participating in activities with VDS. These children need not be from the same household.
Updates on Capacity Limits
Shopping malls and large standalone stores1 are allowed to have a capacity limit of up to 1,000 persons.
Only malls and standalone stores with Gross Floor Area (GFA) of more than 10,000 sqm are allowed to have capacities of more than 1,000 people. For capacities above 1,000 persons to be allowed, malls and standalone stores need to maintain a capacity limit of one person per 10 sqm of GFA.
Premises operators should spread crowds out as evenly as possible.
VDS must be implemented for all events, irrespective of event size and whether F&B is served. This also applies to those held at retail and lifestyle-related services establishments.
Updates on EventsFrom 15 March 2022, mask-on activities and events can be held at public and common areas such as mall atriums, public transport nodes, HDB estates and common corridors, subject to any further restrictions imposed by the premises owner.
The size limits will be lifted for specific events2, subject to the following:
Events with ≤ 1,000 persons can proceed without being subject to any capacity limit. F&B is not allowed;
Events with > 1,000 persons are subject to a capacity limit of 50%3. F&B is not allowed.
Updates on Product Testing
Product testing, e.g. perfume testers, make-up testers, are allowed. However, masks should be worn at all times. If masks need to be removed for such testing, participants must put on their masks as soon as they have finished testing the product.
Other Safe Management MeasuresIn addition to the above, Retail establishments and Lifestyle-Related Services must adhere to prevailing SMMs in the Annex [PDF, 160KB]. Firm action will be taken against any breaches. Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both. Businesses that do not comply with the government’s requirements on SMMs may also be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other assistance, and may also be subject to temporary closures.
Annex [PDF, 159 KB] [PDF, 160KB]: Other Safe Management Measures (SMMs) for all Retail Establishments and Lifestyle-Related Services
Thank You.
ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE
HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD
SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Updated as of 18 March 2022
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1 These refer to standalone stores > 930 sqm (or 10,000 sqft) of GFA.
2 Only mask-on events are allowed and these include religious services, business events, media conferences, funerary memorial events, wedding receptions, and classes. Refer to the relevant sectoral advisories for more details.
3 For example, for a 1,200 pax event, the event would need to be held at a venue which accommodates 2,400 pax, or the event size would have to be capped at 1,000 pax. Events that are mask-off where one-metre safe distancing and group size limits apply will not be subject to the 50% capacity limit, as these SMMs already ensure spreading out of attendees.
