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SINGAPORE – As Singapore enters week 2 of the circuit breaker period, those who cannot support themselves face the consequences.
On Monday (April 13), more than 200 fines of composition of $ 300 each were issued to those who failed to comply with the high measures of safe distancing, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) said in a statement.
Among those fined is a woman who sat in a marked seat at a food center in Aljunied.
Despite being approached by officers, she continued to eat and refused to leave or provide her details. Police were called, the ministry said, adding that police assistance had been required for more than 10 cases on Monday (April 13).
Approximately the same number of composition fines had also been issued the previous day (April 12), when the most severe sanctions were applied for such infractions.
On both days, fines were issued to people prowling or using areas that had been cordoned off or closed, the ministry said.
“This included a group playing on the Tanjong Rhu outfield, a small group playing tennis at the closed Tanglin Tennis Academy, and (a group playing) baseball on a closed private field at the Tanglin Rugby Club,” the MEWR spokesperson said.
During the switch period, schools and most workplaces will be closed until May 4 to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Singapore. People have also been urged to leave their homes only for essential activities, such as buying food.
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said in a Facebook post on Monday that there have been many inquiries about what can and cannot be done during this period.
“My answer to them is that there is a law to follow, but it is our love for our Singapore families, friends and colleagues that should guide our actions,” he said.
Masagos said he had called his mother to explain why he shouldn’t have met her in person. “Due to my work, I may unintentionally expose her to this deadly virus. And I will never forgive myself if I did,” she wrote in the post.
“The remaining 21 days are a critical window that will determine whether we can successfully flatten the curve, prevent large-scale community spread, and save our loved ones.”
Meanwhile, a Straits Times check at Velocity on Novena around noon on Monday found that while there was still a lunchtime crowd visiting the mall to bring food to restaurants, people traffic slowed considerably.
In West Coast Park, individuals and small family groups of parents and children were seen walking, jogging, or exercising at approximately 6 p.m. No one was seen prowling around the rest areas, except for an older man, who was having a drink on a bench.
Dr. Leong Chee Chiew, commissioner of parks and recreation at the National Parks Board, said most of the parks and gardens managed by the board saw low to moderate visitor levels.
But different parts of Singapore’s green spaces had to be progressively closed to allow for safe distancing and to prevent groups from coming together, especially during peak periods.
Those who visit these areas for walking, jogging and biking alone or with people from the same household should practice safe distance measures and return home once done, he said.
“It is not allowed to meet in groups in parks for social or recreational activities, such as picnicking, group exercise, flying kites, singing birds, or playing games like frisbee and soccer,” added Dr. Leong.
Between Saturday (April 11) and 1 p.m. Monday, more than 200 fines were issued to visitors who gathered in groups for activities such as exercise, kite flying, frisbee play, mountain biking, and cycling in parks managed by NParks and city councils.
Police also said Monday that while roadblocks have not been carried out specifically to enforce the elevated safe distancing measures, enforcement measures can be taken against motorists and passengers who mock those measures at road blocks.
Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, said that there are now far fewer people on the streets and in public spaces, which is the purpose of the circuit breaker.
He added: “With the majority of the population heeding the call to stay home, the level of interaction between people from different households will decrease significantly and we know this will have a (positive) impact on containing the outbreak in Singapore.”
But he added that people should not be complacent.
“Singapore must continue to monitor imports and stop any sporadic cases or clustering before they generate more community broadcasts,” said Professor Teo.
Lawyer Yos Pang, 34, has been sending street vendor food to her friends through food delivery services for the past week to support street vendor companies and cheer on her friends during the disruption period of the circuit.
In return, she asks them to pay it to brighten someone else’s day. Ms. Pang said she also received surprises from her friends, including a honey cake and hot cross buns.
“I also got a bouquet of flowers to kick off week 2 of the circuit breaker, and to help combat frustration as an outgoing person who cannot socialize during this period,” he said.
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