Clubbing In Singapore Is On The Verge Of Coming Back As New Pilots Emerge For Nightlife

This might be a reality again as early as January 2021 (Credit: The Council)

We’ve all waited long enough. Finally, it seems like we’re getting more clarity regarding the return of the rave in Singapore. In a joint press release published by the government on 6 November, nightlife businesses will get to awaken from their long slumber brought on by COVID-19, reopening under a string of new pilots with safe management measures in place. Here’s what you need to know so far.

Even with the new pilots in place, clubs won’t be able to reopen in their original forms (Credit: The Council)

The pilots for pubs and bars (the first category) will commence by December 2020, while the pilots for karaoke lounges and nightclubs (the second category) will only kick in from January 2021. For the latter, these pilots will run for a longer period of three months to assess the viability of these businesses to reopen safely. It’s imperative to note that these pilots only apply to a limited number of nightlife establishments, and this list has yet to be revealed.

For the industry to fully reopen, numerous measures need to be in place (Credit: NINETEEN80)

The safe management measures to be enforced are manifold. These include mandatory wearing of masks (on the dancefloor or while singing), a cut-off time for alcohol sales after 10.30pm, the deployment of CCTVs in areas and rooms used for the business’ activities, and ensuring that all customers entering karaoke lounges and nightclubs are tested negative for COVID-19 24 hours prior to the end of the activity either through a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or Antigen Rapid Test (ART).

While the mandatory wearing of masks while getting your groove on is inconvenient yet tolerable, the 10.30pm cut-off time for alcohol sales is problematic as these form the bulk of a nightclub’s earnings each night. It also remains to be seen if a nightclub patron has to be tested negative every time he or she visits the nightclub, although a logical interpretation would deem this to be the case.

Would you be willing to get tested every time you feel like partying? (Credit: Zouk Singapore)

Additionally, the press release announced further support to help nightlife businesses pivoting to approved activities, with financial grants up to $50,000 to cover costs incurred in the pivoting process. For nightlife businesses exiting the industry, the government is assisting with ex-gratia payments of $30,000 to cover the costs of the cessation of business, along with retrenchment benefits up to $3,000 for local affected employees.

Only time will tell if these pilots will prove successful (Credit: Epitome Collective)

It’s not sunny days for the nightlife industry just yet, but these measures are a glimmering ray of light that are highly necessary for the sustenance of our scene.

To read the full press release, click on this link.