SINGAPORE (Apr 3): Singapore will impose stricter measures – that will include closing most workplaces and move to full home-based learning in schools – amid rising cases of local coronavirus infections.
Stopping short from calling it a lockdown, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech to the nation Friday that the “circuit breaker” measures will take effect next week.
The measures will apply for a month.
“We have decided that instead of tightening incrementally over the next few weeks, we should make a decisive move now, to pre-empt escalating infections,” Lee said.
Most workplaces – with the exception of essential services and key economic sectors such as food establishments, markets and supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, utilities, transport and key banking services – will be closed with effect from April 7.
“We have to ensure that most of our workforce stays at home and limit their physical interaction to as few people as possible,” Lee said.
School and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in Singapore will also be move to full home-based learning starting April 8.
All preschool and student care centres will also be closed.
The “circuit breaker” will also see Singapore tighten its restrictions on movements and gatherings of people.
Residents should stay at home as much as possible, avoid socialising with others beyond their own household, and only go out only to do essential things such as buying food from markets, Lee said.
“Essential services will continue running so that all of us can cope with this new situation, as we hunker down to fight this virus,” Lee said.
“We have enough food supplies to last us through this period and beyond. You can still shop at the supermarket or wet market. And you need not rush to stock up for weeks at a time,” he added. “You can still buy food from your favourite hawker centres or coffee shop, though you will have to take out and eat at home with your own family rather than hang out and eat outside with your friends.”
