SINGAPORE – Local and overseas delegates to the Bloomberg New Economy Forum (NEF) next month will be subject to strict measures, including full immunizations to ensure their safety and well-being and that of the community, authorities said on Sunday (October 24).

Upon arrival in Singapore, foreign delegates must take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and stay in their hotel room until the result is confirmed as negative. They will be exempt from quarantine if the result of their PCR test is negative.

In response to questions from the Straits Times, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) said all foreign delegates must undergo daily tests before the event on conference days, in addition to being completely vaccinated.

ST had seen a note from EDB chairman Beh Swan Gin to forum delegates that groups of up to five people can dine together at NEF venues and other designated restaurants in the city, and that invitees can include non-NEF delegates.

The agencies said anyone not attending the NEF but wishing to have meals or meetings at designated NEF venues or restaurants must undergo a mandatory pre-test and test negative beforehand.

All forum participants, including locals, must undergo daily testing prior to the event on conference days.

“To make this event a success, the safety and well-being of our community and the NEF delegates is our top priority,” they said.

These measures are more stringent than those existing for larger-scale events for Singaporeans, such as those attending wedding receptions, where pre-event testing is required for all attendees unless they are completely vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 or are 12 years of age and under. .

“It is with these additional requirements that business meals for up to five fully immunized people will be permitted for Bloomberg NEF participants,” the agencies said.

The NEF will be held from November 16 to 19 in a dedicated area of ​​the Marina Bay Sands complex and is expected to attract more than 300 participants from 51 countries, including current and former heads of state and global CEOs.

The event marks another step forward for Singapore’s hospitality and travel industry amid the nation’s pivot to an endemic Covid-19 scenario.

Apart from venues and restaurants pre-designated for NEF participants, Singapore security management measures will apply to delegates, including the two-person rule for meals.

The Republic’s latest pandemic restrictions state that on-site dining will be limited to a maximum of two people until November 21, although the restrictions will be reviewed before then.

The NEF is one of the events of the Mice Event Pilot Project by STB which aims to enable business conferences and exhibitions to gradually reboot and support Singapore’s hospitality and travel industry.

Mice represents meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. Recent events include Gamescom Asia and the Joint Leadership Summit of Top Mouse Associations.

The NEF is a major global conference of political leaders organized by Bloomberg. In 2018, he was moved from Beijing to Singapore just 10 weeks before the event date in November. The forum was held at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa.

As part of the Mice Pilot Project, all foreign delegates, including those from the Bloomberg NEF, must apply for a letter of entry to travel to Singapore and be fully immunized according to the Organization’s emergency use list. world health.

They must pass the swab PCR test on arrival and undergo daily pre-event testing on the days of the event.

Local delegates are to undergo the daily tests before the event, the STB and EDB said.

Dr Beh’s note said NEF delegates who request an authorized letter of entry can enter Singapore from any country, regardless of their travel history, and arrive on any commercial flight or jet. private.

Delegates are free to attend meetings and company visits outside the NEF.

The agencies said, “As we learn from the experience of these pilot events, we will adjust health and safety protocols so that larger Mice events can resume on time in a safe, reliable and timely manner. innovative. “

Guarantees for the Bloomberg New Economy Forum

EDB and STB have said that for the Bloomberg NEF to be successful, security is the top priority. Among the guarantees that will be put in place are the following:

– All delegates should be fully immunized with a vaccine on the WHO emergency use list.

– They should undergo a swab PCR test on arrival and stay in their hotel room until it is confirmed that they are negative.

– They must undergo daily pre-event testing on event days.

– Pre-event testing is also required for non-delegates attending meals and meetings at venues and restaurants that have been pre-designated to allow delegates to dine in groups of no more than five.