SINGAPORE – Singaporeans welcomed the move towards the next phase of reopening, while remaining realistic that measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 such as the wearing of masks and travel restrictions would not be lifted any time soon.

In a televised national address on Monday (Dec 14), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said phase 3, to begin on Dec 28, would raise the permitted group size for social gatherings from five to eight, and capacity limits in public places such as malls, attractions and places of worship.

Groups and workplaces that operate in teams said this would mark a return to some normality.