Covid-19 has drastically changed the game of politics for the upcoming General Election.

The Elections Department Singapore (ELD) previously announced that there will be no physical rallies this year due to the need to maintain safe distancing in this current period, a move which has likely disappointed many looking forward to the rousing speeches and vibrant atmospheres.

Now, physical rallies have been replaced by e-rallies, and although walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning can continue, politicians are required to don masks, and ensure safe distancing.

Candidates are also advised to minimise physical contact, which has certainly altered the nature of interactions between politicians and residents and has led to some slightly awkward socially-distanced photo ops.

But it seems these restrictions haven't stopped politicians from doing their best to engage residents, with some adopting fist bumps as their choice of interaction.

New trend

On July 5, a chance meeting between the PAP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) saw a fist bump exchanged between Jurong GRC's Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, who will be contesting at Bukit Batok SMC.

The Workers' Party's Aljunied GRC team, including members Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap, were first spotted fist bumping with some residents at a walkabout at a food centre and market in Bedok North on June 27, a few days before Nomination Day.

Other times, the candidates simply clasped their hands together as a form of greeting.

Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) Secretary General Tan Cheng Bock was seen doing the same as well at a June 28 walkabout at Tanglin Halt Market.

And it seems this new form of greeting, typically used among the younger generation previously, has henceforth been adopted by numerous other politicians.

Some people confused

Some, however, appeared befuddled by the new interaction, leading to certain awkward situations.

The greeting has even evolved among some to a sort-of "elbow bump", perhaps to minimise physical contact even further.

A new normal in the midst of GE2020. Who knows what GE2025 will be like.

Top photo by Ilene Fong and chuanjin1 / IG