A look at COVID-19 nightlife clusters in Asia

SINGAPORE: A growing number of COVID-19 infections linked to KTV lounges and clubs has seen local transmission of the virus surge in recent days in Singapore. 

As of Thursday (July 15) noon, 87 cases in Singapore have been tied to KTV cluster. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung described the situation as “very troubling and disappointing”, adding that activities such as hostess services and dice games have been banned for more than a year.  

Cases were first announced on Jul 12, when the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that Vietnamese social hostesses who frequented outlets currently operating as food and beverage outlets were among the country’s new infections. 

READ: Timeline: From KTV lounges switching to F&B outlets, to a spike in local COVID-19 cases

During the course of the pandemic,…