The implementation of Tracetogether-only Safeentry at high volume locations around the country will be brought forward to May 17. It was originally scheduled to be implemented only on June 1. 

The Ministry of Health and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office added that other modes of Safeentry check-in which include scanning a Safeentry QR code or using the Singpass app will be discontinued from that day as well.

(Related: Singapore Returns to Phase 2: New Covid-19 Social Distancing Rules You Need to Know)

From May 17, check-ins must be done using the Tracetogether app or token at places where people are likely to be in close contact for longer periods of times. These locations will include shopping malls, offices, schools, places of worship and more. 

Users can simply use their Tracetogether app to scan the QR code at the venue. They can also display their token for staff members to scan or simply tap their app or token at a SafeEntry Gateway device.

In order to make this transition smoother, the Government has said that identification card check-ins will still be allowed till May 31.

The new implementation date was set at a Covid-19 multi-ministry task force press conference that happened on May 4. At the press conference, new regulations that would put Singapore back in Phase 2 were also announced.

This was in response to the significant uptick in community cases that began with the Tan Tock Seng Hospital cluster last week.

In a press release, the authorities said: "With the recent community cases, active participation in the TraceTogether programme is crucial for effective contact tracing. We seek everyone’s cooperation to use either the Tracetogether app or token, and to remain on guard in the fight against COVID-19,"

(Related: Covid-19 Singapore: Everything We Know About the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Cluster So Far)