Cafes, shops reopen as Singapore eases COVID-19 curbs

Social gatherings of up to five are allowed under the relaxed rules

Last updated: June 19, 2020 | 15:47

AFP and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Editor

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Singapore: Shops and cafes reopened in Singapore on Friday as coronavirus measures were relaxed - but the city-state's leader warned people "not to go overboard celebrating".

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More than two months after a partial lockdown was imposed, massage parlours and spas also resumed operations while beaches were no longer off limits and sports and other facilities opened again.

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"I feel happy because I can come out... a few restrictions still apply but I'm happy, I feel safe," Mostafa Jamshidian, a computer science researcher, told AFP as he walked through the central business district.

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Social gatherings of up to five are allowed under the relaxed rules, but people must wear face masks and stay one metre (3.3 feet) apart.

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Authorities have been gradually easing restrictions imposed in early April that shuttered schools and non-essential businesses, as a test-and-trace effort stabilised infection rates.

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The city-state's 5.7 million residents had been told to stay home unless they had good reason to go out.

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Singapore has the second-highest number of confirmed infections in Southeast Asia with more than 41,000 cases, mostly among foreign workers living in crowded dormitories. The death toll stands at 26.

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In a Facebook post marking the reopening of most businesses, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "I am sure all of us have been eagerly looking forward to this day for a long time! But please don't go overboard celebrating."

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Potential super-spreader venues such as cinemas remain closed.

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And live music and TV shows are not allowed at reopened businesses as the noise could cause customers to speak more loudly, spreading droplets which could contain the virus.

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