Can you go out exercising in Phase One, and more COVID-19 updates from Singapore

Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) has issued an advisory on appropriate disinfectants to use in residences, workspaces, other non-healthcare settings to prevent exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This comes on the back of an NEA study on transmission where,SARS-CoV-2 was detected in two out of more than 400 samples collected from frequently touched areas, such as rooms, toilets and elevators, in non-healthcare accommodations used by confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“While we did not see widespread contamination, our results show that SARS-CoV-2 can linger on surfaces in the living spaces of COVID-19 cases. Laboratory tests by other researchers have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on environmental surfaces for two to three days," said Dr. Judith Wong, Research Scientist at EHI, who led the study, adding that disinfection of spaces where COVID-19 cases dwell is thus essential. 

In choosing an effective chemical disinfectant, NEA said that products that have been shown to reduce bacteria, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or other virus count, are not necessarily effective against coronaviruses, as bacteria and different viruses differ in their biological and chemical make-up, and viruses do not contain ATP.

As such, here is a non-exhaustive list household products and active ingredients for disinfection of the COVID-19 virus (interim general list, by NEA):

1. CIF Power & Shine Multipurpose Anti-Bac Spray 700ml
2. Dettol Anti-bacterial Surface Cleanser Spray
3. E-Bio Disinfectant Concentrate
4. FairPrice Anti-Bacterial Wet Wipes
5. GK Germ Killer GK Concentrate (Citronella/Floral)
6. Magiclean Wiper Wet Sheets
7. Pure Antimicrobial Concentrate
8. Lysol Disinfectant Spray (Various Scents)
9. Budget Bleach
10. Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach
11. Giant All Purpose Household Bleach
12. HomeNiks Bleach
13. Mr Muscle Mold & Mildew

Phase One on 2 June: Dos and don'ts of sports and physical exercise

In Phase One (i.e. Safe Re-opening), public and private sport and recreational facilities will remain closed, Sport Singapore has confirmed. However, members of the public should continue exercising at home using online resources.

Individuals may go outdoors, in their immediate neighbourhoods to engage in basic exercise such as walking, running, cycling or other similar exercises. They may exercise with members living in the same household, although Sport SG still encourages exercising alone so as to reduce the number of people outdoors.

"No one should linger outside after their exercise and they should return home immediately after they are done. Safe distancing measures must be observed at all times between people of different households, and there must not be any gathering in groups. Consequently, coaching by anyone from a different household is also not permitted," Sport SG stated. 

Masks must continue to be worn when leaving and returning home from exercise. It is only not required when one is engaged in strenuous exercise such as running, jogging/brisk walking, cycling and other similar activities. Masks must be donned after one has completed strenuous exercise.

Return to sport and physical exercise under Phase Two

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce will decide on an appropriate time to move into Phase Two (i.e. Safe Transition), where sports facilities, such as gyms and fitness studios, will be gradually allowed to re-open, subject to the implementation of safe management practices.

The return to sport and physical exercise/activity under this Phase will be based on the following considerations:

1. Group size limitation. The permitted group size may be gradually raised over time.
2. Safe distancing. This may require sport formats involving deliberate body contact between participants to be deferred until it is less risky. However, technical training drills may still proceed. Sharing of common equipment would be discouraged. Safe distancing measures will also apply to non-participants (e.g. observers) outside the field of play / courts.
3. Environmental Factors. Outdoor facilities with better air circulation would carry lower risks than indoor environments.

Sport Singapore will issue another advisory ahead of Phase Two.