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SINGAPORE: Nightlife venues that have expressed interest in reopening as part of a recently announced pilot program have said they will do “whatever it takes” to create a safe environment for customers, but are involved in the effect of strict COVID-19 implementation. regulations, adding mandatory pre-event testing, on costs.
At least 3 karaoke chains have been implemented to participate in a pilot program that will allow them to reopen for 3 months.
But there are other nightlife corporations that are neglecting this new program because they have made the decision to change or avoid operating after having suffered pandemic losses.
The trial to reopen a small number of nightlife venues was announced through the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Interior this month and began with 25 participants, i. e. 10 pubs and bars, 10 karaoke institutions and five nightclubs.
Pubs and bars will have a two-month trial that will begin in December, while the pilot program for karaoke shows and nightclubs is expected to begin in January and the last 3 months.
Departments have established strict protection rules, such as deploying surveillance cameras in all common spaces and places, and wearing masks for customers while doing a song or on the dance floor.
In addition, those who enter karaoke rooms and nightclubs will have to test negative for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours.
Other regulations come with allowing only five teams in karaoke rooms, which must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
Nightclubs are limited to a capacity of one hundred more people spread over two areas. Each area, which can accommodate 50 other people, may have spaces for dinner and dancing, but they will have to be separated.
The Singapore Nightlife Business Association, which in the past reported receiving 60 inquiries about the pilot program, began accepting programs from 11 November.
Contacted wednesday night (November 18) after the final of the offers, he stated that he was not in a position to provide the number of applicants because he was “going through applications”.
His spokesman added that he will “probably have no problem” in the government quota for pubs, bars and nightclubs.
Singapore Entertainment Affiliation, which accepts programs from karaoke operators, had heard from 3 stakeholders last Friday.
He hopes to get more programs before Sunday’s deadline, Committee Member Simon Sim told CNA.
Industrial organizations have until 23 November to submit their programmes to the authorities, this era would possibly be prolonged according to the industry’s response.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO REOPEN
Among those who participated in the pilot program were Cash Studio Family Karaoke, HaveFun Karaoke and K. Star Karaoke.
Karaoke, as well as uns licensed pubs and food bars, nightclubs and nightclubs, have been closed since late March as a component of Singapore’s measures to stop the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although Singapore has reopened its economy and allowed maximum activities to resume, nightlife venues have remained closed due to the increased threat of coronavirus transmission.
In the midst of the widespread closure, these nightlife operators struggled to retain their workers or pay for hiring after mandatory recruitment exemptions ended in July. .
“The proposal of karaoke joints is the ability to sing and if you eliminate that, we have to compete with F companies.
So the query is: why would I go to lunch at karaoke?The odds are against us.
The karaoke industry told CNA that it had to comply with all prescribed protective control measures.
For example, Cash Studio and K. Star are installing surveillance cameras in the karaoke room, a measure that can charge them between $10,000 and $40,000.
Some will do more if they decide on the pilot program. K. Star said it had special disinfectants for its microphones and would provide masks to all customers, while HaveFun Karaoke plans to rent cleaning corporations approved by the National Environment Agency to disinfect its daily premises.
WHO PAYS FOR COVID-19 TESTS?
Operators under pressure understood the desire to create an environment, but were involved in who would pay the COVID-19 test bill.
The Singapore Nightlife Business Association estimated that the check could charge between S$30 and S$100 and expected corporations to absorb the charges.
Cash Studio owner Caine Poon said it would be difficult for operators to do this because rates at karaoke bars, which tend to satisfy the desires of academics and families, tend to be easier to use.
“The spending on the karaoke of the family circle can be as low as S$10 consistent with a child. If the check for each consumer is S$50, how are we going to absorb the cost?” he asked.
The management of these tests is a concern.
“We hope that pre-verification can be simplified and (done) on the site. We’re ready to absorb the total charge if it’s not too high. If a consumer has to go to a clinic to do the verification (what charges) more than S$50 consistent with entry, I don’t think it’s practical,” said K. Star co-owner Rain Lee.
Noting that karaoke tends to be an “improvised” recreational activity, Zhang of HaveFun Karaoke fears that the need for a check and the discomfort of going through one will distract customers. that can perform immediate antigen-based diagnostic checks on site.
With the additional prices and the option of lukewarm demand for visitors, reopening would probably not be profitable, karaoke corporations said, but it’s still a step to take to pave the way for the industry-wide imaginable reopening. they added.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure it is safe, even to the point of sacrificing profits, because we don’t really need anything to happen and the chances of a permanent reopening,” Mr. Poon.
“We perceive the dangers and know that it may not be profitable, but we think it’s a way forward. We will do our best to ensure that the pilot can take a stand and that the government can see the effectiveness of the measures. “”Because if we don’t, then (reopen) it may be a stranger, ” retorted Mr. Zhang.
ANOTHER WAY OUT?
In parallel with the pilot program, the government also announced monetary subsidies for companies to return to legal activities such as restoration and to leave the sector.
The Singapore Nightlife Business Association reported that it had won 260 inquiries on any of the options, with a more pivot-oriented approach.
Karaoke chain Teo Heng, for its part, does not believe that the new pilot program is viable just because it cannot absorb the prices of COVID-19 tests.
As such, the family-run karaoke chain, which has closed two of its 14 locations, is renting its karaoke rooms as exam rooms or spaces for others to meet.
The students, one of their largest consumer groups, had already done so before COVID-19, said their principal Jean Teo.
“We have tables, chairs and Wi-Fi, so we plan to allow students to use our rooms to examine or paint their projects. People can also pass if they can’t take their seats at a nearby place to eat, just ” seal “Your food and come,” she says.
“Of course, we would love to show that we are very safe, but we will follow the government’s instructions. The most important thing for us now is that everyone can sing again.
1-Group is embarking on pivot road.
Its 1-Altitude rooftop bar has reopened with a focus on catering, while the Yang Club hopes to become a “dinner-entertainment” concept, general manager Joseph Ong said. However, they will have to wait because live displays are still prohibited. .
Similarly, Mr. Sim, a board member of Singapore Entertainment Affiliation, turns his two pubs into F
The businessman said he wasn’t the only one who chose to pivot or exit.
“Some karaoke rooms have already selected to transfer F
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