Singapore, June 16 (RHC)-- Singapore will allow most businesses to reopen on Friday as the hard-hit city-state further eases its coronavirus restrictions.  But potential "super-spreader" venues such as cinemas, bars and nightclubs will stay closed despite infection rates remaining stable for the past two weeks, officials said.

Beginning Friday, the "vast majority" of businesses can resume operations as long as safe distancing rules are in place, said Lawrence Wong, a cabinet minister who is a key figure in Singapore's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.     

Social gatherings of up to five people will also be allowed from Friday, but individuals should stay one meter (three feet) apart from each other. 

Tiny Singapore has one of the highest infection tallies in Asia, with more than 40,000 cases, because of mass outbreaks in dormitories for its migrant workers.