The Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced on 19 May 2020 that Circuit Breaker measures will be gradually eased from 2 June 2020, and businesses will be allowed to resume activities in a phased manner. Phase 1 commenced on 2 June 2020, and Phase 2 commenced on 19 June 2020.
Businesses with SSIC 2015 v(2018) codes starting with 791 (travel agencies and tour operators) will be allowed to resume on-site operations from 19 October 2020, subject to prevailing guidelines from MOM on the requirements for Safe Management Measures at the workplace[1]. Businesses must submit their manpower details via the GoBusiness portal (https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg) within two weeks of the date of resumption of operations.
All firms, bodies or self-employed persons who are in operation are to comply with the safe management measures (SMMs) listed here, as well as the sector-specific requirements here.
Please note that your SSIC code should correspond with the “primary business activity” in your business registration records with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). You should ensure that your business activity is in line with your selected SSIC code.
Updated guidelines for travel agents, tour operators and tourist guides
Referring to the “Advisory on Safe Management Measures Required for Tours Re-opening in Phase 2” (https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/home-pages/advisory-for-tours.html), tours with live or pre-recorded commentary will still require approval to resume. Travel agents, tour operators and tourist guides must still submit their tour itineraries and schedules to Singapore Tourism Board (“STB’) for assessment and may only proceed to organise the proposed tours after receiving approval from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (“MTI”).
From 1 November 2020, the maximum group size for walking, cycling and kayaking tours will be increased from 10 to 20 pax (excluding tourist guide), with the maximum number of pax in any one sub-group[2] capped at prevailing social gathering size. Please refer to the advisory here, for the full details and requirements.
[1] The requirements for Safe Management Measures at the workplace can be found at https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/requirements-for-safe-management-measures.
[2] Tour participants of the same sub-group are allowed to interact with one another in person. Tour participants from different sub-groups should maintain at least 1m safe distance, with no intermingling at all times.