Trial reopening of nightclubs and karaoke joints put off amid spike in community cases

THE reopening of selected nightclubs and karaoke joints under a pilot programme has been postponed till further notice amid a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the community. 

This is to prevent the risk of further community transmission and formation of clusters in "high-risk settings such as nightclubs and karaoke outlets, which entail people coming into close contact for prolonged periods of time and in enclosed spaces", said the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday. It was noted that some of the community cases are currently unlinked and under investigation.

The trials for nightclubs and karaoke joints were supposed to start this month, and run for three months. The authorities said that they had shortlisted two nightclubs and 10 karaoke outlets, from eight nominations for nightclubs and 15 nominations for karaoke outlets.

The ministries said that they are working with the operators shortlisted for the pilot "on the next steps for their businesses, and assisting them individually".

The trials for bars and pubs, which began last December, will continue for now. However, the agencies said that they will also continue to monitor the situation, and will work with the operators to tighten the safe-management measures, where necessary, to "safeguard public health".

A total of three bars -- Bell Bar, Bar Kiharu and Skinny’s Lounge -- are taking part in the trial.

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The trials for nightclubs and karaoke joints were supposed to start this month, and run for three months. The authorities said that they had shortlisted two nightclubs and 10 karaoke outlets, from eight nominations for nightclubs and 15 nominations for karaoke outlets.

Sing My Song Family Karaoke, Cash Studio Family Karaoke and Teo Heng KTV Studio are among the shortlisted karaoke joints. 

Frank Per, owner of Sing My Song Family Karaoke, said that he was “deeply saddened” by the news, as the pilot programme had been the “only hope” of the industry reopening.

“The pilot being pushed back means that any reopening for karaoke operators will be further delayed as well,” he added. Nightlife operators have not been able to operate since Singapore’s “circuit breaker” in April last year.

The ministries told The Business Times that they are consulting the shortlisted operators and will assist them individually. “They may choose to pivot (to a related F&B business) or exit the industry with the government support provided to the nightlife industry, or to wait for the pilot to commence at a suitable juncture.”

But Mr Per said that it will be difficult for the affected operators to make plans with no timeline in sight, especially as most of their resources have been exhausted. In preparation for the temporary reopening, Sing My Song Family Karaoke had to spend on installing closed-circuit televisions in every room, as part of the pilot’s requirements.

This deferment comes as Education minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the task force tackling Covid-19, said in a Facebook post on Monday night that additional measures may be needed to keep the spread of Covid-19 under control here.

Mr Wong noted that Singapore has recorded more new infections in recent days, including the first local cluster in months.

There were 30 new coronavirus cases confirmed as at Tuesday noon, with four community and 26 imported cases.