Covid-19: Home-based learning for primary, Sped schools extended by a day; rules unchanged for large-scale events

• The Government had earlier announced home-based learning for Primary and Special Education schools from the Sept 27 to Oct 6
• An extension to Oct 7 is now given so that students can continue to stay home for the rest of the week
• Preschools will remain open but parents are encouraged to keep their children at home 
• For wedding receptions, there will be special concessions and guests can still dine in groups of five 

SINGAPORE — Home-based learning for primary and special education schools will be extended by one day until Oct 7 instead of Oct 6, so that students can remain home for the rest of that week, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Friday (Sept 24). 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) had earlier announced home-based learning for primary and special education schools from the coming Monday, Sept 27, to Oct 6, in order to protect children under the age of 12 who are not yet medically eligible for vaccinations. 

“As an added precaution, the (home-based learning) period will now be extended till Oct 7, 2021, so that students can continue to stay home for the rest of the week,” the ministry said in a statement. 

Oct 7 falls on a Thursday and Oct 8, Friday, is Children’s Day, a holiday for primary school students. 

The new home-based learning extension was announced by MOH as part of a number of measures to curb community spread of Covid-19 that will take effect from Monday and last until Oct 24.

MOH added that private education institutions must also implement home-based learning for all students aged 12 years and below from Sept 27 to Oct 10. 

Preschool services in these private education institutions may remain open, the ministry said. 

During this period, in-person tuition and enrichment classes for students aged 12 years and below must also move online or be suspended. 

“Preschools, MOE Kindergartens, KCare Services and student care centres will remain open during this period but parents are encouraged to keep their children at home if they can,” MOH said, adding that more details are available on its website.

CONCESSIONS CONTINUE FOR WEDDING RECEPTIONS 

For marriage receptions, there will be special concessions and guests can still dine in groups of five.

Wedding couples have faced “significant uncertainties” over the past few months, MOH said.

“Hence, as a special concession, wedding receptions may be allowed to continue with up to 250 attendees if all are fully vaccinated, and with a group size of up to five persons a table.” 

All wedding guests must strictly abide by the safe management measures and, in particular, maintain safe distancing and avoid mingling with others beyond their own table.

Given their higher vulnerability, unvaccinated individuals and seniors are discouraged from attending such events, because pre-event testing “only reduces their risk to others but not the risk to themselves”. 

Marriage solemnisations may also continue, but with attendees seated in groups of up to two persons, if all are fully vaccinated. 

Home solemnisations will continue to be allowed, with up to 10 attendees.

“Otherwise, only up to 50 attendees will be allowed without (pre-event testing),” MOH added.

EVENT SIZES

There will be no changes to the present capacity limits at large-scale events.

If all attendees are fully vaccinated, the capacity limits at events such as congregational and other worship services, cinemas, meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions, live performances, spectator sport events will remain at up to 1,000 attendees. 

“Otherwise, only up to 50 attendees will be allowed without (pre-event testing),” MOH said. 

The concession for children aged 12 and below, who cannot yet be vaccinated, will also apply for these events. 

Such children may be included in a group of up to two persons if the child is from the same household.