As the developments of the coronavirus outbreak continue to evolve, many countries have gone on total lockdowns to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Singapore cannot be complacent and therefore, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce has implemented safe distancing measures to minimise exposure.
In view of the recent spike in the number of infected cases, Singapore’s continued efforts to contain and limit the spread of the coronavirus, saw sweeping measures announced by the Singapore Government’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce last Tuesday.
Singapore is enforcing stricter measures that would limit gatherings outside of work and school to 10 persons or fewer, and ensure that physical distancing of at least one metre can be achieved in settings where interactions are non-transient. These measures will take effect from 26 March 2020, 2359 hours. These measures are in place until 30 April 2020, but this may be extended if the situation does not improve.
Following from the Ministry of Health’s announcement on stricter safe distancing measures, government agencies such as Enterprise Singapore, Housing & Development Board, National Environment Agency, Singapore Food Agency, Singapore Tourism Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority have drawn up safe distancing measures for food and beverage (F&B) establishments to provide a safer dining environment for customers. All F&B establishments – from smaller ones like takeaway kiosks and cafes, to larger outfits such as restaurants – must comply with these enhanced safe distancing measures.
Some of the recent measures involve:
The Ministry of Health will be enforcing the Regulations under the Infectious Disease Act to give legal force to the safe distancing measures. The Penalty for an offence under the Regulations would be a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months or both.
Our partner, Chooi Jing Yen comments on the South China Morning Post:
“There is a very strong symbolic element to the new regulations. These regulations are premised on the notion that the struggle against Covid-19 is a collective societal effort. The introduction of penal sanctions would serve to reinforce the advisories and regulations already in place, which have sought to normalise social distancing and other preventive measures. These new laws would allow the authorities to send a strong message to anyone who refused to play his part in this effort. It may well be that a small handful of prosecutions would be enough to achieve this effect.”
For safe distancing to be effective, all Singaporeans must take it seriously and do their part.
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