Some F&B Outlets, Barbers & Pet Supplies May Reopen From 12 May, There’s Hope During CB

Some Businesses May Reopen On 12 May, As Singapore Progressively Eases ‘Circuit Breaker’ Measures

There’s hope during gloomy times, as Singapore just announced that they will start easing some of the stricter ‘Circuit Breaker’ measures this month.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said selected businesses will get to resume operations from 12 May.

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These include:

• Selected food & beverage (F&B) outlets, like cakes & confectionery
• Barbers
• Home-based food businesses
• Laundries.

As for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners, they will get to reopen their doors as early as 5 May.

Businesses may reopen on 12 May due to drop in community cases

According to CNA, Minister Gan said number of new community cases has been going down since the enforcement of stricter ‘Circuit Breaker’ measures.

Ministry of Health (MOH) had reported last night (1 May) that the daily average of community cases has fallen from 25 in the week before, to 12 this past week.

Due to this, Singapore is set ease up on business closures, so that those affected by CB measures may resume operations over the next few weeks.

TCM practitioners are allowed to resume earlier after a “comprehensive review”, said Minister Gan.

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Here’s a more comprehensive list of businesses that may reopen on 12 May, freshly released by MOH:

1. Manufacturing and onsite preparation of all food, including cakes and confectionery, ice cream, cocoa, chocolate and chocolate products, and other snacks
2. Food retail outlets, including cakes and confectionery, packaged snacks and desserts, may be open for takeaway and delivery only
3. Home-based food businesses may operate, but only for delivery or collection. No home-based private dining
4. Retail laundry services
5. Barbers and hairdressers, for basic haircut services
6. Pet supplies.

Singapore isn’t “out of the woods yet”

However, Singaporeans should remain cautiously optimistic over this latest development. Minister Gan warned that “we are not out of the woods yet.”

Other CB measures remain as crucial as ever for now, and will continue to be enforced till 1 Jun.

It is only when the situation is “clearly under control”, that the government can consider reducing some of the measures.

Minister Gan said if we let our guards down, new clusters may form. Hence, Singapore must do what it can to press on, so that daily numbers remain low.

No official word yet on bubble tea?

In recent weeks, Singaporeans have had to bid temporary farewell to McDonald’s and bubble tea during ‘Circuit Breaker’. Times have been dark, but hopefully, this latest development adds a spark to your day.

McDonald’s has already confirmed that they won’t be reopening any time soon from 5 May. But bubble tea fanatics are probably wondering about the fate of their cherished beverage outlets.

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see if there’s good news. Meanwhile, do take better care, continue to practise social distancing, and stay home as much as possible. Together, we can get through this.

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Featured image adapted from Facebook and TheSmartLocal.