Why Singapore is Letting Folks Dine in Fives at the NEF (And Why Not the Rest of the City)
Trade & Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong spilled the beans yesterday in an interview, explaining why the Bloomberg New Economy Forum (NEF) will allow delegates to enjoy meals in groups of up to five at the Capella Singapore hotel. It’s all about keeping Singapore humming as a global business hub while keeping COVID‑19 risks in check.
The Big Idea Behind the NEF
- NEF runs from Nov 16‑19 at the Capella Singapore.
- Over 300 participants from 51 countries, including heads of state and CEOs.
- Networking is key, so delegates need a cozy spot to chat.
Dining in Groups of Five – Why It Works
“We got to make sure they have space to mingle and talk business,” Gan said. Delegates often travel from far‑away places, so every minute counts.
EDB’s Beh Swan Gin added that delegates can also bring in non‑delegates for a taste of Singapore’s dining scene, but only when the venues are pre‑designated and they test negative beforehand.
Keeping the Virus at Bay
- All participants, local and foreign, must undergo daily pre‑event testing.
- Delegates are exempt from quarantine on arrival, provided they stay in their hotel rooms until an on‑arrival PCR test comes back negative.
- Only fully vaccinated delegates are eligible, and they’re subject to stricter checks than typical events like weddings.
“We’re not just throwing people in for a meal. We’re doing it safely,” Gan emphasized. Thanks to the daily testing schedule, any positive case can be caught early, preventing a runaway outbreak.
Why the General Public Can’t Dine in Larger Groups
When the minister was asked why locals aren’t granted the same “five‑person” flexibility, he pointed out the scale difference.
“A handful of delegates is fine, but over five million people could be hosting in large groups. Those infected could come home and expose their elderly family members.”
He also noted that imposing a daily testing requirement on the entire community would be impractical. “If we open up dining to everyone’s group, every single meal would need testing. That’s just not a workable solution right now.”
How the Multim‑Ministry Task Force is Guiding 2025’s Covid Policy
On Saturday, the task force (which Gan co‑chairs) announced that if the weekly infection growth rate drops and hospital capacity stabilizes, households could dine together in groups of up to five. They’d still need to meet the safety checks in place for the NEF.
Across all events—whether it’s a summit, wedding, or any MICE activity—Singapore keeps a hawk eye on health and safety. The NEF’s measures go a step beyond the usual wedding protocols by incorporating pre‑event testing.
Bottom Line
Singapore’s NEF is shaping up to be a major networking hotspot that encourages collaboration, but it’s also a showcase of how the country balances economic vitality with public health.
Stay tuned, keep the conversations alive—just remember that safety comes first, even when you’re grabbing a bite with five friends.
