Mask-wearing at events in Singapore will be optional from August 29, as the city-state progresses further with its endemic Covid-19 transition.
While event organisers welcome the easing of masking regulations, they told TTGmice that they would allow their delegates to decide on personal mask usage.
Alison Gilmore, portfolio director for ILTM Worldwide with RX Global, said the upcoming ILTM Asia Pacific at Marina Bay Sands would give attendees the freedom of choice concerning mask wearing.
The event will be held from September 1 to 5, welcoming luxury travel and tourism specialists from all over the world. While core business activities will be conducted within exhibition halls at Marina Bay Sands, ILTM Asia Pacific will also feature social functions at hotel venues.
International Built Environment Week (IBEW) as well as the co-located trade exhibition, Built Environment Xpo (BEX) Asia, which will open in the same week, will make mask wearing optional for its attendees.
However, Yip Je Choong, managing director, RX Singapore, said “attendees should continue to practice high level of personal hygiene for their own personal health and safety”.
For off-site tours scheduled on September 5, Yip said masking requirement would be determined by hosts.
All events are open only to fully vaccinated attendees, even as Singapore eases restrictions on non-fully-vaccinated individuals. From August 29, non-fully vaccinated long-term pass holders and short-term visitors aged 13 and above will no longer need to apply for entry approval when entering Singapore. They are only required to present a negative pre-departure test within 48 hours.
When asked how the relaxed masking policy would impact Singapore’s appeal for business events, Yip said: “We welcome the move as it strengthens Singapore as the preferred destination for MICE events, paving the way for more large-scale and world-class events to be held in the city.”
Gilmore agrees that the “latest news will add further value to any event experience” in the destination.
