COVID-19 Latest Updates (March 2020)

by Circle News, on March 28, 2020

We’re doing our best to keep this page up-to-date in the days and weeks to come, so do check back for the latest information. Alternatively, you may check in with our friendly sport champions at our sport centres for more information.

UPDATED 27 MAR: FAQs ON UPDATED ADVISORY FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE/ ACTIVITIES

Our latest Advisory For Sport And Physical Exercise/Activity has additional measures to look after your health and wellbeing. For any questions, please read our frequently asked questions on the advisory for sport and physical exercise and activities to find out more. You are welcome to share your opinion with us at SPORT_QSM@sport.gov.sg.

UPDATED 26 MAR: UPDATED ADVISORY FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE/ ACTIVITIES

Following our advisory on 25 Mar 2020, we have consulted our stakeholders and adjusted our measures accordingly in this latest advisory. The key change is in the requirement for Studios.

The table below is a summary of SportSG’s advisory for Sport and Physical Exercise / Activity which has to be strictly followed by private operators and National Sports Associations (NSAs).

SPORT SINGAPORE’S ADVISORY
FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE / ACTIVITY

with effect from 26 Mar 2020, 2359 hours

 

  • The following are to be suspended until 30 Apr 2020 or cancelled:
    • All tournaments/competitions, leagues and matches;
    • All senior-centric programmes; and
    • All children & youth-centric[1] group activities regardless of class size.
  • All gatherings, group activities and classes must not exceed 10 persons.
  • Physical distance of at least 1m between participants must be followed strictly at all times.
  • Operating capacity must be kept to no more than one person per 16 square metres of usable space for gyms, indoor sport halls, stadiums and swimming pools.
  • It is the responsibility of programme and venue operators to put in place strong access controls to conduct temperature screening and health declaration, as well as implement a registration process to facilitate contact tracing. They are to turn away participants who are unwell or who have travelled overseas in the last 14 days.
  • Venue operators are to conduct frequent disinfection of common spaces, and increase the frequency of cleaning for surfaces and interactive components (e.g. smart kiosks, turnstiles). Hand sanitisers should be placed near frequently touched surfaces like door handles.

 

ADDITIONAL MEASURES BY FACILITY TYPE

Gyms

 
  • There should be no clustering or bunching of users in the gym.
  • Users should be reminded to wipe down equipment after use.
  • Gym spaces should be kept well-ventilated.
  • Efforts should be taken to increase spacing between equipment and remind users to maintain physical distancing. Demarcation of spaces around equipment to discourage overcrowding is expected.

Studios

 
  • Classes should have no more than 10 persons, with at least 1m spacing between them at all times.
  • Shared equipment that may be difficult to sanitise between sessions (e.g. gloves) should be removed. Users should be encouraged to bring their own mats if needed.
  • Studios should be kept well-ventilated.

Indoor Sport Halls
  • Group activities should have no more than 10 persons, with at least 1 metre spacing between them.
  • Indoor sports halls should be kept well-ventilated.

Stadiums/ Swimming Pools/ Outdoor Venues
  • Group activities should have no more than 10 persons, with at least 1 metre spacing between them.

 

Private operators and organisations that are unable to comply with this advisory are required to suspend their services during this time.MOH will be promulgating Regulations under the Infectious Diseases Act to give force to safe distancing measures. Existing levers under the Infectious Diseases Act, including the temporary suspension of operations, may be used against persons and operators that are non-compliant with the Regulations. Regulatory agencies will also impose penalties for breaches or lapses.

 

 

[1] Defined as those in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, ITEs and polytechnics

BEST PRACTICES TO ADOPT  

  1. Reduce crowding as follows:

     

    1. Avoid setting up queues in general, and implement a pre-booking system. If necessary to set up a queue, avoid locations that may cause crowding in or outside the venue.Implement a queue management system that spaces participants out with clear demarcations (e.g. floor markers with distancing of at least 1 metre).Disperse crowds immediately.

       

    2. Stagger entry and exit timings to the venue.Consider implementing an alert-based entry system (i.e. visitors arrive at the entry point when they receive an alert).

       

    3. Within the venue, implement a physical separation distance of at least 1 metre between persons. For instance, leave one or two vacant seats between participants or implement chequerboard seating, except where participants are related (e.g. families or couples).

       

  2. Display notices and posters prominently, detailing prevention and control measures (e.g. avoid shaking hands, wipe down gym equipment, wash hands with soap, practice good personal hygiene). Refer to https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/resources for the latest notices and posters.

     

  3. Advise participants to practice social responsibility, including monitoring their own health condition and to stay away if unwell.

     

  4. Encourage participants to install and activate the Govtech-produced app [https://www.tracetogether.gov.sg].

     

  5. Provide hand sanitisers to frontline staff who handle cash and other payment devices.

     

  6. Operators and organisations are encouraged to participate in SG Clean. For more details on the programme, please refer to www.sgclean.gov.sg.

Please share your opinion with us at SPORT_QSM@sport.gov.sg or call 1800-344-1177 during office hours (Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 6.00pm) as we practise social responsibility to stay safe and healthy.

UPDATED 25 MAR: ADVISORY FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE/ACTIVITIES

The Ministry of Health (“MOH”) issued an additional advisory “Tighter Measures To Minimise Further Spread of COVID-19” on 24 Mar 2020. In view of the evolving COVID-19 situation, Sport Singapore (SportSG) is providing operational guidance on physical distancing measures.

The table below is a summary of SportSG’s advisory for Sport and Physical Exercise/Activities.

SPORT SINGAPORE’S ADVISORY FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE/ACTIVITIES

as at 25 March 2020
  • All tournaments/competitions, leagues and matches to be suspended till 30 Apr 2020, or cancelled with effect from 26 Mar 2020, 2359hrs.
  • All senior-centric programmes are suspended till 30 Apr 2020.
  • All ActiveSG children & youth-centric organised programmes are suspended till 30 Apr 2020. All others must follow suit from 26 Mar 2020, 2359hrs till 30 Apr 2020.
  • All gatherings must not exceed 10 people.
  • Physical distance of at least 1m from each other must be followed strictly.
  • Private operators and NSAs must follow the advisory strictly.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Gyms

 
  • Operating capacity must be kept to one person per 16 sqm of usable space.
  • No organised group activities must be allowed to intermingle within the space.
  • Ensure strong access control for proper screening.

Studios

 
  • Operating capacity of each studio must be kept to one person per 16 sqm of usable space or maximum of 10 people, whichever is lower.
  • Activities must be conducted with at least 1m spacing between individuals.
  • Ensure strong access control for proper screening.

Outdoor programmes
  • Organised outdoor activities must keep to a maximum of 10 participants with 1m spacing between them.

Stadiums/ Swimming Pools

 
  • Capacity must be limited by the norm of one person per 16 sqm of activity space.
  • Organised programmes must keep to a maximum of 10 people with 1m spacing between them.
  • For pools, ensure strong access control for proper screening.

Indoor Sport Halls
  • Capacity must be limited by the norm of one person per 16 sqm of activity space.
  • Organised activities must keep to a maximum of 10 people with 1m spacing between them.
  • Ensure strong access control for proper screening.

 

BEST PRACTICES

  1. Reduce crowding as follows:

     

    1. Implement a queue management system where necessary. Space participants out with clear demarcations (e.g. floor markers with distancing of at least 1m) with not more than 10 people in the queue.

       

    2. Stagger entry and exit timings to the event or venue. Consider implementing an alert-based entry system (i.e. visitors arrive at the entry point when they receive an alert).

       

    3. Implement seating arrangements with separation distance of at least 1m between participants (e.g. leave one or two vacant seats between participants or chequerboard seating), except where participants are related (e.g. families or couples).

       

  2. Display notices and posters prominently, detailing prevention and control measures (e.g. avoid shaking hands, wipe down gym equipment, wash hands with soap, practice good personal hygiene). Refer to https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/resources for the latest notices and posters.

     

  3. Advise participants to practice social responsibility, including monitoring their own health condition and avoiding attending the event if unwell.

     

  4. Put in place temperature screening and health declaration measures, including turning away participants who are unwell.

     

  5. Organisers are encouraged to promote the use of the Govtech-produced app [https://www.tracetogether.gov.sg].

     

  6. Conduct frequent disinfection of common spaces. Increase frequency of cleaning for surfaces and interactive components within the venue (e.g smart kiosks, turnstiles). Place hand sanitisers near frequently touched surfaces like door handles.

     

  7. Provide hand sanitisers to frontline staff who handle cash and other payment devices.

     

  8. Organisers are encouraged to participate in SG Clean. For more details on the programme, please refer to www.sgclean.gov.sg.

Please share your opinion with us at SPORT_QSM@sport.gov.sg or call 1800-344-1177 during office hours (Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 6.00pm) as we practise social responsibility to stay safe and healthy.

You may refer to the FAQs here.

UPDATED 24 MAR: Suspension of children and youth-centric organised programmes with immediate effect at ActiveSG facilities with immediate effect until 7 April 2020

Sport Singapore (SportSG) will be suspending all ActiveSG’s children and youth-centric organised programmes at ActiveSG facilities with immediate effect until 7 April 2020 to coincide with efforts by schools to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19.  The make-up programme sessions will be held after the suspension is lifted. In addition, our senior-centric programmes will also be suspended until 7 April 2020. 

 

The affected children and youth-centric organised programmes include the following:

  1. ActiveSG Academies and Clubs programmes
  2. Swim Safer assessment
  3. Learn-To-Play programmes at ActiveSG Sport Centres
  4. SportCares programmes

SportSG would like to advise all private academies and clubs, as well as our partners to follow suit to protect our young ones.  Despite the inconveniences caused, we seek the cooperation of our partners and parents during this period to remain committed to work together with us to keep our children safe.

Please click here for FAQs.

 

UPDATED 23 MAR:

  1. Jurong East Sport Hall will be open from 23 Mar 2020, 1400hrs onwards.
  2. All ActiveSG Senior-Centric Programmes will be suspended till 7 Apr 2020.
  3. Ang Mo Kio CC ActiveSG gym has been closed till further notice. The nearest ActiveSG gyms are at Bishan or Yio Chu Kang Sport Centres.
  4. Toa Payoh West CC ActiveSG gym has been closed till further notice. The nearest ActiveSG gym is at Toa Payoh Sport Centre.

UPDATED 17 MAR: Yio Chu Kang and Jurong East Sport Halls will be closed till 22 March 2020.

Affected patrons will be notified via email/sms. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

UPDATED 15 MAR: SportSG will be implementing enhanced precautionary measures in line with the latest advisory issued by Ministry of Health (MOH) on 13 March 2020.

SportSG will be implementing the following measures to regulate the number of people at our facilities and maximise personal space between everyone. We still encourage members of public to remain safe and healthy.

You may also continue to attend our ActiveSG programmes and/ or book sport facilities that are still available. We urge all users to practice social responsibility and stay at home if you feel unwell and seek medical advice promptly.

▶ TRY: 60-Second exercises you can do anywhere. Get your body moving!

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Measures taken by ActiveSG

What it means to you?

Temperature taking and registration form* for all users entering all ActiveSG sport facilities. This includes:

  1. Swimming Pools
  2. Indoor sport halls
  3. Stadiums and outdoor facilities

You would be requested to fill in a registration form*. At the same time, your temperature will be taken. Users with a temperature reading of above 38 Degree Celsius will not be allowed into our facilities and will be advised to seek immediate medical attention.

 

ActiveSG Gyms:

Regulated access to all ActiveSG gyms to ensure adequate personal space among users.

 

You may be offered queue numbers if and when our gym has reached maximum capacity.

Maximum capacity varies with location. Please check your ActiveSG App regularly to view gym capacity.

 

ActiveSG Studios:

ActiveSG studio programmes will now be conducted outdoors. In the event a programme must take place in the studio, the number of users allowed to be present in the studios will be restricted to ensure there is more personal space among participants.

 

Please check with your programme instructor for the updated location of your programme.

ActiveSG Swimming Pools:

  1. Children’s wading and feature play pools will be closed till further notice.
  2. Regulated access to all swimming complexes.

 

 You may be asked to wait to enter the swimming pool. We seek your understanding.

ActiveSG Sport Halls:

  1. Alternate badminton and table tennis courts will be made available for booking.
  2. No changes to squash or tennis court bookings and usage.

 

Affected court bookings from 16 March will be cancelled and refunded accordingly. You will be informed via emails/sms if your booking is affected.

For further enquiries, you may approach any of our Guest Officers on duty.

ActiveSG Stadiums:

  1. There will be lane segmentation for joggers at all stadiums.
  2. Regulated access to all stadiums.

 

All users to stay within your lane please. 

You may be asked to wait to enter the stadium. We seek your understanding.

 

*ActiveSG members who enter our sports facilities (gym/swimming pool) using payments other than the ActiveSG wallet are requested to fill in a visitor registration form. All non-ActiveSG members are required to fill in the visitor registration form.

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