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SINGAPORE: A total of 40 fines and more than 3,100 “severe warnings” have been issued to members of the public for failing to comply with safe distancing measures.
The 40 fines and 2,900 of the warnings were issued only on Friday (April 10), the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said in a press release.
A person illegally selling face masks on Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 was fined S $ 1,000 and ordered to stop operations immediately.
The police also had to be called in over 20 cases in which members of the public refused to cooperate when asked to leave.
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Members of the public queue outside the Geylang Serai market on April 9, 2020. (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo)
A separate police operation by the police discovered that a beauty salon along Upper Cross Street had provided massage services without a license during the COVID-19 “circuit breaker” period.
Police investigations are ongoing, the ministry said.
TAKE ACTION SERIOUSLY, DO NOT MAKE FAMILY DEPARTURES
The start of the long weekend saw an increase in the number of people going out to public spaces such as neighborhood centers, markets, street vendors and parks, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said.
On Friday, more than 2,800 law enforcement officers and ambassadors were deployed, the ministry said, adding that employees of the National Park Board (NParks) were “out of date” to apply safe distancing measures in parks. , gardens and nature reserves.
READ: Fines, prosecution in court for repeat offenders of ‘breaker’ measures
Tables and chairs at a street vendor center in Singapore are covered to prevent people from eating, as a preventative measure against the spread of COVID-19, April 9, 2020. (Photo: AFP / Roslan Rahman)
In NParks-managed gardens, parks and nature reserves, more than 720 playgrounds and fitness areas, 12 dog tracks and eight fishing spots have been closed to prevent group gathering.
To ensure safe spacing during peak hours, NParks also temporarily closed access bridges at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
The Henderson Waves and MacRitchie TreeTop Walk were also temporarily closed, while the Park Connector at Jurong Lake Gardens was temporarily diverted.
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NParks is also leveraging technology to monitor visits, such as the use of drones in parks and natural areas that are larger with more land to cover.
“The use of drones also gives a better idea of the density of visitors in a specific area. Aerial photographs taken by drones are reviewed every half hour, and areas that experience high levels of visitors will be temporarily closed to ensure safe distance, “said the environment ministry.
“Members of the public should take circuit breaker measures seriously and not embark on family outings during this period. The elderly, who are particularly vulnerable, should stay home.
“Please stay home, avoid the crowds, and observe safe distancing. Failure to comply will result in firm action by our compliance officers.”
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