Announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Apr 3, 2020, and rolled out just four days later, the circuit breaker, which ran from Apr 7 to Jun 1, saw Singapore placed under its strictest restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic to date.
Initially planned to last until May 4, the circuit breaker saw most workplaces closed except for those providing essential services. Schools also shifted to full home-based learning at this time.
People in Singapore were only allowed to leave their homes for a handful of reasons, among them: To get essential goods, to go to work with an essential service provider, to seek medical assistance and to exercise.
A new law banning social gatherings both in private and public spaces was passed. Dining-in at eateries was not allowed while marriage solemnisations also had to be postponed. The Government also made it clear that except for certain groups of parents, children were not to be dropped off at their grandparents’ homes.
On Apr 14, the wearing of masks was made compulsory for anyone stepping outside their homes.
On Apr 20, Singapore reported a record 1,426 new COVID-19 cases. Most were in foreign worker dormitories. This would remain a record for the country until the surge driven by the Delta coronavirus variant more than a year later.
A day later, it was announced that the circuit breaker would be extended by almost a month until Jun 1, while restrictions were further tightened. This saw more businesses closed while entry restrictions were imposed at some wet markets and supermarkets.
On May 5, some circuit breaker restrictions were lifted, which allowed people to get haircuts and receive traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
Two weeks later, it was announced that Singapore would exit the circuit breaker in accordance with a three-phase reopening plan. Singapore duly moved moved into Phase 1 of its reopening on Jun 1.
Continue reading...
Initially planned to last until May 4, the circuit breaker saw most workplaces closed except for those providing essential services. Schools also shifted to full home-based learning at this time.
People in Singapore were only allowed to leave their homes for a handful of reasons, among them: To get essential goods, to go to work with an essential service provider, to seek medical assistance and to exercise.
A new law banning social gatherings both in private and public spaces was passed. Dining-in at eateries was not allowed while marriage solemnisations also had to be postponed. The Government also made it clear that except for certain groups of parents, children were not to be dropped off at their grandparents’ homes.
On Apr 14, the wearing of masks was made compulsory for anyone stepping outside their homes.
On Apr 20, Singapore reported a record 1,426 new COVID-19 cases. Most were in foreign worker dormitories. This would remain a record for the country until the surge driven by the Delta coronavirus variant more than a year later.
A day later, it was announced that the circuit breaker would be extended by almost a month until Jun 1, while restrictions were further tightened. This saw more businesses closed while entry restrictions were imposed at some wet markets and supermarkets.
On May 5, some circuit breaker restrictions were lifted, which allowed people to get haircuts and receive traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
Two weeks later, it was announced that Singapore would exit the circuit breaker in accordance with a three-phase reopening plan. Singapore duly moved moved into Phase 1 of its reopening on Jun 1.
Continue reading...