The multi-ministry taskforce has announced today, May 19, that Singapore will be exiting the Circuit Breaker measures in three phases on June 2.

There's quite a lot to unpack from the avalanche of information. We'll try to help you make sense of it.

Here's what entering into Phase 1 will look like for many of us.

All characters are fictional.

Families

A family of six

Alex, the 57-year-old husband, works in manufacturing and had taken a break from work during the circuit breaker period.

With all manufacturing businesses resuming full production on June 2, he is able to go back to his workplace and resume his job, provided that all safety guidelines are met.

His reporting time had been staggered to avoid peak hours, and he is encouraged not to congregate with his colleagues during and after work.

Brenda, the 56-year-old wife, is a marketing manager, and she has been working from home during the circuit breaker period. Although her office will reopen, she is encouraged by her agency to continue working from home.

Chester, the eldest son, is a 24-year-old university student, and his term is in session. He is working on his final-year project, and he is able to go back to campus to conduct experiments in the laboratory. All his lectures are still held online. As social gatherings are still prohibited, he still cannot meet his girlfriend in person.

Denise, the eldest daughter, is a 19-year-old student from Millenia Institute. As she is graduating this year, her batch will be given priority when school reopens. Up to 50 per cent of students will be allowed back at any one time.

Edmund, 15, the younger son, is in secondary 3 this year.

He will only go to school on week 2 and 4 of June. After school, he goes home immediately as co-curricular activities and tuition classes have not resumed.

Fiona, 14, the youngest daughter, goes to a Special Education (SPED) school. Her return to school will be scheduled between June 2 to June 8. By June 8, all the students will be back in SPED schools.

All students in the family will have to wear a face mask or face shield when they return to their campuses or schools. They are not allowed to linger with their friends after school ends.

Grandparents

For grandparents Gopal and Hanisah, they can finally look forward to visitations from their grandchildren.

Although only two of their grandchildren can visit the 75-year-olds once a day, they are grateful for the face-to-face interaction. They make sure that everyone washes their hands thoroughly and practice good hygiene during the visit.

The grandparents try their best to continue staying at home to protect their health, learning how to connect with their friends through smartphone tutorials available on vernacular media programmes.

At their neighbourhood Senior Activity Centre, some activities have been resumed, and they are able to receive psychosocial support in a safe environment.

A young family

Ian and Janice, both 30, are healthcare workers. Their six-year-old daughter Kelsey had been under her grandparents' care in an informal childcare arrangement, but she can expect to be back in preschool by June 10.

Engaged couples

Layla and Mathur, 27 and 29, were worried that they had to cancel their wedding plans during the circuit breaker period.

Now, they can have their wedding solemnised in person, with up to 10 people witnessing the ceremony, from June 2.

National Service (NS) Recruits

Nicholas, 18, has recently enlisted into NS.

He has been engaging in different forms of Home-Based Learning (HBL) in the meantime, but his Basic Military Training (BMT) will resume.

All recruits and instructors will have to undergo a health screening upon reporting for BMT, and those who exhibit acute respiratory infection symptoms will immediately be separated and tested for Covid-19 infection.

During BMT, cohorting arrangements, twice-daily temperature taking and enhanced hygiene practices will be enforced.

The BMT programme will also be modified for recruits to be trained in smaller groups.

Public Transport

Commuters will be required to wear a mask, to refrain from talking to one another or on their mobile phones, and to maintain good personal hygiene.

Transport operators have also stepped up the cleaning of buses and trains and will use anti-microbial chemical coatings on exposed surfaces.

Places of Worship

 

Places of worship that were closed during the circuit breaker will be allowed to open in Phase 1.

However, it will only be open for private worship, with up to five members of the same household praying at one time. Congregational services will not resume yet.

Retail Stores

Most retail outlets and other personal services will not re-open in Phase 1. People are not allowed to dine in at food and beverage outlets either.

Only selected services, namely, motor vehicle servicing, aircon servicing, basic pet services, school bookshops and retail shops selling school uniforms will be open.

Hairdressers will also be allowed to offer their full range of hairdressing services. All home-based businesses that operate using a delivery/collection model will also be open.

Healthcare

We can receive specialist outpatient services, medical procedures, allied health services, community-based services, and chronic disease management, with priority given to healthcare providers based on medical necessity and available capacity.

We can also get preventive health services, such as the flu shot.

Traditional Chinese Medicine needle acupuncture will be available and complementary healthcare services will resume for one-to-one sessions and by appointment.

Community-based centre services for persons with disabilities will also gradually re-open, with safe distancing measures in place. Activities will be held in smaller groups, and persons who have medical conditions are encouraged to receive home-based support. Staff will continue taking the necessary precautions.

 

Top photo by Andrew Koay