Singapore says it’s detected the ‘double mutant’ Covid variant from India in its community, tightens restrictions

Singapore also announced tighter measures in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the city as local infections climb.

From May 8, travelers arriving from higher risk countries will have to be quarantined for 21 days, up from 14 days previously.

Domestically, new restrictions will be imposed from May 8 until May 30. The measures include limits on the size of social gatherings, pre-event testing for large gatherings and the closure of gyms.

The country on Tuesday reported five new locally transmitted cases, all of which are linked to a cluster that began in a local hospital. There were also 12 cases detected during mandatory quarantines for people entering the country from overseas.

On Monday, the ministry of health said the number of new cases in the community jumped from 10 cases in the week before, to 60 cases in the past week.

Details on local restrictions from May 8 to May 30 include:

• Social gatherings to be limited to five, down from eight previously. Each household will also be able to receive five guests per day, instead of eight guests.
• No more than 50% of employees are allowed to return to their workplaces at any time, down from 75%.
• Pre-event testing will be required for certain gatherings including weddings, worship services, live performances and conferences, depending on the number of attendees.
• Indoor gyms and fitness studios will be closed.
• Museums, public libraries and attractions to operate at 50% capacity.

These measures take the city one step back in its phased reopening that began in June 2020. Singapore has reported a total of 61,235 confirmed cases since the pandemic began.