The Sunday Times says

A new lease of nightlife

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Nightlife establishments - bars, pubs, nightclubs, discotheques and karaoke lounges - can look forward to a new lease of life with the announcement that a limited number will be allowed to reopen under a pilot trial with stringent safe management measures in place. This is a sensible way of assessing the viability of safety and other measures necessary to prevent a mass outbreak of coronavirus cases. If the small number of outlets taking part in the pilot programme are able to successfully comply with safety measures, there would be a case for expansion, thus allowing more establishments to resume operations. Doing so will brighten and improve prospects for an industry that has been hard-hit for nearly nine months now.

But the resumption of activities at selected nightlife venues is, understandably, being approached with prudence and caution. The go-ahead for pubs and bars will commence by December and last for two months. As for karaoke lounges and nightclubs, their pilot programme will commence by January next year and last three months. The safety of patrons and staff, in particular, and of the public in general is the paramount consideration, as it should be. Any premature relaxation of restrictions on social gatherings could have unintended and dire consequences that would necessitate a further painful lockdown. Singaporeans would do well to remember how similar activities elsewhere contributed to renewed outbreaks of the coronavirus. Still, revellers missing the nightlife will find some comfort in the decision, not least because it spans the festive period from the end of this year to the early part of next year. Some establishments not under the pilot may opt to pivot to other activities, or exit the industry. Hard as that decision will be on them and their employees, they will at least receive assistance to make that transition.

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