Up to 500 vaccinated worshippers can attend church services from August 10, as Singapore prepares to transition to the Covid resilience phase.

Unmasking, singing and playing of wind/brass instruments for live worship will also resume, subject to a valid Antigen Rapid Test (ART) for the unmasked performers. Singing by worshippers with masks on is still not permitted.

Marriage solemnisations, wakes, funerals and funerary memorial events will also see an increase in capacity from August 10, said MCCY today (August 7). 

MCCY’s new guidelines for religious organisations follow an announcement by the Multi-Ministry Task Force yesterday (August 6) of a two-step easing of Covid-19 restrictions. 

“It has been two weeks since the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). Since then, the Covid-19 situation has gradually come under control,” said Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at yesterday’s press conference. “Although we are still seeing about 100 cases a day, the number of serious cases has remained stable. 

“We are also making good progress on our vaccination programme. As of yesterday, about two-thirds of our population has received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines, ahead of National Day. 

“We are now in a stronger position to resume with our re-opening journey but in a cautious and calibrated way.” 

The differentiated approach for the unvaccinated and vaccinated is to safeguard the health of the vulnerable, in particular the elderly, he added.

The revised Safe Management Measures for churches and other religious organisations are as follows:

From 10 August 2021

a. Increase in the permissible group size to 5 persons; 

b. Increase to 500 worshippers for congregational and other worship services 

i. Up to 50 worshippers if unvaccinated; 
ii. Up to 500 worshippers if vaccinated;

c. Resumption of unmasking, singing and playing of wind/brass instruments for live performance elements, subject to a valid Antigen Rapid Test (ART) for the unmasked performers; and

d. Increase in capacity for marriage solemnisations, wakes, funerals and funerary memorial events.

From 19 August 2021

a. Increase to 1000 worshippers for congregational and other worship services 

i. Up to 50 worshippers if unvaccinated; 
ii. Up to 1000 worshippers if vaccinated;

b. Resumption of other non-congregational religious activities; and

c. Increase in capacity for marriage solemnisations.

Children aged 12 years and below, who are currently ineligible for any Covid-19 vaccine in the National Vaccination Programme, are exempted from undergoing Pre-Event Testing. They can participate in vaccinated-only worship services provided they make up no more than 20% of the total number of worshippers on-site. If there is more than one child in the group, all children must be from the same household.

Marriage solemnisations can increase in group size for up to 500 vaccinated attendees (50 unvaccinated) from August 10, and up to 1,000 vaccinated attendees (50 unvaccinated) from August 19.

Funerals, wakes, installation of niches and post-funeral rites at places of worship can involve up to 30 attendees at any time (an increase from 20 persons today), and in groups of no more than 5 persons, from August 10. 

Detailed guidelines by MCCY for religious organisations can be found here. 

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