TraceTogether-Only SafeEntry Implementation Moved to 17 May 2021

Venues like malls, museums and cinemas in Singapore will have to install TraceTogether-only SafeEntry (TT-only SE) earlier than previously announced.

A TraceTogether token (left) and the TraceTogether app (right) Credit: Smart Nation and Digital Government Group

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has declared that venues which attract crowds of people and/or where people are likely to be in close proximity to each other for a long time will need to implement TT-only SE on 17 May 2021.

The scanning of SafeEntry QR codes with built-in phone camera apps and the SingPass App will also be discontinued on 17 May 2021. However, ID check-ins will be retained until 31 May 2021 to ease the transition.

This is part of the Singaporean government’s response to the growing cases of COVID-19 in the country. The response also covers the emergence of new COVID-19 variants in the country.

A SafeEntry Gateway (right) and a TraceTogether app (left) Credit: smartnation.sg

Additionally, the MOH mentioned that they have extended the requirements to install SafeEntry Gateways (SEGWs) to include places where people are in close proximity to each other for a long period of time. Examples of such venues include hotels, dine-in F&B outlets and more. Previously, only venues with high visitorship like malls and cinemas were required to deploy SEGWs.

The MOH also added that the venues covered by the previously mentioned criteria will need to deploy their SEGWs by 15 June 2021 to provide “a more seamless check-in experience and to ensure that TT tokens are functioning”.

In addition to the previously mentioned implementation of the TT-only SE, the Health Ministry ordered other measures to manage the risk of infection. These measures will come into effect from 8 May 2021 through 30 May 2021.

During this period, only 50% of a business’s employees can be inside their workplace at any time. Venues that are potential COVID-19 hotspots like gymnasiums and indoor fitness/health studio will be closed. Museums, public libraries, attractions and shows are limited to a 50% operating capacity. Attendees of live performances, B2B events, worship services and weddings must go through pre-event testing if the number of attendees is more than the reduced size. Lastly, the allowed group size has been reduced back to five. Individuals are advised to keep to two or less social gatherings a day and households are now only able to host five distinct visitors a day, down from eight.

The full list of measures can be found on the MOH website.

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Written by John Paul Joaquin