Major Milestone as DORSCON Level Drops to Yellow
From April 26, 2022, Singapore will lift group size restrictions and allow all employees to return to workplaces, marking another significant step in its COVID-19 recovery journey. This shift coincides with the lowering of the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level from Orange to Yellow for the first time since February 2020.
Easing of Group and Capacity Restrictions
Effective April 26, the following changes will take place:
No restrictions on group sizes in public or private settings.
The limit of 10 unique visitors per household will be removed.
Capacity limits for mask-on events exceeding 1,000 attendees will be eliminated, except at nightlife venues with dancing, which remain classified as higher-risk environments.
Mask Guidelines in Workplaces
While masks will still be mandatory indoors and on public transport, employees in workplaces may remove them when not interacting with others or in customer-facing areas. At personal workstations, masks can be taken off, though safe distancing is encouraged.
“Working all day in masks can be challenging, so this flexibility is essential,” said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, who also urged workers to maintain social responsibility in shared spaces.
Flexible Work Arrangements Encouraged
The Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasised that businesses should retain flexible options like telecommuting and staggered hours to ease peak-time crowding, even as workplaces return to full capacity.
Living with COVID-19
Minister Wong highlighted the significance of transitioning to DORSCON Yellow, acknowledging the progress made but cautioning that future variants may require renewed vigilance.
“This is a major milestone, but the pandemic is not over. We are stepping down, not dismantling, our systems,” Wong stated, noting that tools like TraceTogether and SafeEntry could return if needed.
Singapore’s journey through the pandemic has been marked by resilience and collaboration, achieving one of the lowest COVID-19 fatality rates globally. As the nation moves towards normalcy, authorities urge citizens to remain prepared for potential changes.
