Public Advisory on COVID-19
(Coronavirus Disease 2019)

Updated as of 21 May 2020

Singapore will exit the circuit breaker when it ends on 1 June, but will be resuming activities gradually in phases. As such, NHB’s museums and heritage institutions remains closed until further notice.

In the meantime, stay in touch and enjoy the digital offerings we have prepared for you.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Gradual Resumption for Museum Stakeholders

Updated as of 21 May 2020

1. In line with MOH’s advisory “Towards a COVID-Safe Singapore Together” and MTI’s advisory “Advisory on Gradual Resumption of Business Activities in Three Phases Starting from 2 June 2020” issued on 19 May 2020, the National Heritage Board (NHB) would like to inform all museum stakeholders of the end of Circuit Breaker plans for the sector.

Phase One: Safe Re-opening

2. In Phase One (“Safe Re-opening”) beginning from 2 June 2020:

1. All museum stakeholders’ premises shall remain closed.

2. There should be no events or activities of any kind in these premises, except for essential maintenance works and security measures to ensure the upkeep and the safety of the museums and their collections. All professional or vocational training, workshops and courses may proceed only if these can be done virtually. We encourage training providers to provide online courses, where possible, so that training is not disrupted and that the community can continue to upgrade their skills from the safe environment of their homes.

3. All workplace premises shall remain closed. All business, social, or other activities that cannot be conducted virtually from home will be suspended during this period.

4. The National Arts Council (NAC) will make available two black box spaces at Goodman Arts Centre (GAC) and Stamford Arts Centre (SAC) at subsidised rates to the community, for the digital production and recording of performances, masterclasses and courses. Basic recording equipment will also be made available for venue hirers, if required. To minimise community transmission risk, each production or recording must involve no more than 5 persons, inclusive of artist and production crew. Venue hirers will also be required to seek a one-time approval from MTI for digital production only, via the Go Business portal at https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg.

5. In addition, venue hirers must comply with the safe management measures that are in place at these venues. These include supporting contact tracing and health check requirements through use of SafeEntry, wearing of masks at all times except when practitioners are being filmed, ensuring clear physical spacing of at least 1 metre between persons, and avoiding congregating in common spaces.

6. Details on the subsidised rates and how to book these venues will be made available on the NAC website on 26 May 2020. NAC will monitor booking applications closely and assess if further adjustments to the number of venues or booking process are required.

7. For those who have tenants in your premises that are allowed to resume operations from 2 June 2020, you and your tenants must comply with the prevailing MTI and MOM advisories. You may refer to the latest COVID-19 updates for Businesses at https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Updates-on-COVID-19 and list of services and operators that can re–open on 2 June 2020 at https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/essentialservices/.

Phase Two: Safe Transition and Phase Three: Safe Nation

3. If community transmission rates remain low and stable over the subsequent few weeks, we will move into Phase Two (“Safe Transition”), which will see the progressive resumption of more activities, including for arts and culture companies and practitioners, in small groups. While those who can work from home should continue to do so, more workers will be able to return to their workplaces in a gradual manner, subject to safe management measures being put in place by employers to protect their employees and customers/audiences. NHB will issue a separate advisory for museum stakeholders ahead of Phase Two.

4. Depending on the COVID-19 situation and our risk assessment, measures will be eased gradually until we reach a new normal in Phase Three (“Safe Nation”), which we expect to remain at until an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is developed. By this time, cultural events would have resumed, although gathering sizes would still have to be limited to prevent large clusters from arising. Employers should still facilitate regular working from home. As with Phase Two, NHB will issue a separate advisory ahead of Phase Three.

5. In preparation for Phases Two and Three, NHB will engage key museum stakeholders to better understand their plans for the safe management of their workplaces, venues and facilities, as well as events. The progressive opening of the sector is possible if we work together to ensure we minimise risk, and protect our employees and visitors.

Conclusion

6. NHB continues to encourage museum stakeholders to reach out to the community and audiences through new digital modes and engage in training online. In this time when physical facilities and venues are closed, we encourage museum stakeholders to review your safe management plans to prepare for Phases Two and Three. Please refer to MOM’s advisory on “Requirements for Safe Management Measures at the workplace after Circuit Breaker period” at https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/requirements-for-safe-management-measures.

7. Details on support for the arts and culture sector can be found at https://www.nhb.gov.sg/who-we-are/media-centre/committee-of-supply-announcements/2020/arts-and-culture-resilience-package-2020. Further support measures for businesses and individuals will be announced by DPM Heng Swee Keat on 26 May 2020. Self-Employed Persons and freelancers can also subscribe online to NAC’s Arts Resource Hub (https://www.artsresourcehub.gov.sg) for access to shared resources, services and advice.

Previous Advisories

1. 23 April 2020
2. 5 April 2020
3. 25 March 2020
4. 23 March 2020