Social gatherings at home and in public will be banned, Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong stated in Parliament on Apr. 7.

This includes having private parties or gatherings with families or friends who do not live together, both at home and in public spaces, such as HDB void decks and parks.

People should only go outside for essential services and medical needs

In addition, the government may restrict the movement of people within their own homes, and at specific places, such as HDB void decks and shared facilities in condominiums.

Gan added that people should only go outside for the purchase of daily necessities, essential services, or urgent medical needs.

New measures are of the Covid-19 Temporary Measures Bill

The enhanced social distancing measures were introduced as part of the Covid-19 Temporary Measures Bill on Apr. 7.

Elaborating the purpose of the new social distancing measures, Gan said that they will serve "as a critical circuit breaker" to curb the rise in local transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

He said:

"The trend is particularly concerning in the past week. The daily number of new cases crossed the 100 mark two days ago.

There was also an increasing number of unlinked cases in the past week, which suggests that there are quite a number of undetected cases within our community which have led to these unlinked cases. We are also starting to see the emergence of new clusters daily."

Most Singaporeans will adhere to the rules, but there will always be a minority that will flout them

Gan added that while he believed most Singaporeans will be responsible and adhere to the rules, there will inevitably be a minority which flouts them.

Such a minority may refuse to abide by safe distancing measures put in place at food and beverage outlets, or might loiter and mingle in groups in public spaces, instead of staying home.

This will hamper efforts to contain the spread of the virus amidst the circuit breaker.

Failure to adhere the enhanced social measures will see first time offenders subjected to a fine of up to S$10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

Subsequent offenders will be penalised with a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

Other powers

The Bill also allows the Health Minister to close premises to minimise interaction and the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

For premises that remain open, such as those providing essential services, the Bill allows the Minister to set requirements, such as mandating that F&B outlets cannot offer dining-in service.

Finally, the Bill also allows the government to use the Requisition of Resources Act to requisition land, property or services needed to help contain the spread of Covid-19.

Gan gave the example of needing to requisition a building suitable for conversion into care facilities, if the number of cases continues to rise.

Bill will empower the Minister and public officers to take action against people who flout the measures

Gan added that penalties are "aligned" with those under the Infectious Diseases Act.

The Bill will also empower the Minister, or any public officer authorised by the Minister, to appoint enforcement officers to take action against individuals, business owners or entities which flout the measures.

Enforcement officers include police officers, public officers and health officers appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act.

Reiterating the purpose of the circuit breaker, Gan stated:

"This circuit breaker is not a holiday. It is an important opportunity for us to work together to slow the infection significantly.

The key message is simply this: 'Stay home. Go out only for essential activities. Avoid close contact with people, and if you can’t avoid close contacts, wear a mask to protect others and to protect yourself.'"

Top image Mothership file photo