Hello, how have you been during this circuit breaker period?
Doing fine? Well, I’ve got some news for you: the current regime seems to be a “warmup” and it seems like things are going to be tightened up even further.
Reader Bao: Wait, what- is Goody Feed peddling fake news now?
No, my dear reader bao bao, I’m not peddling fake news. I’m just predicting the future.
2,900 Warnings & 40 Fines Were Issued Yesterday For People Who Broke Circuit Breaker Rules
More than 2,900 warnings and 40 fines were issued on 10 Apr to people who breach safety distancing measures.
The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) said that with this, the total number of stern warnings and fines issued since 7 Apr has increased to more than 3,100 and 40 respectively.
Group Exercises, Verbal Abuse & An Uncooperative Diner
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli uploaded a Facebook post last night and revealed some of the cases that Enforcement Officers (EO) and Safe Distancing Ambassadors faced.
People were taking the long weekend as a “chance” to unwind with their friends and families.
This includes those who venture out to exercise in a group (like cyclists):
In 20 cases, he said, they required police presence as the members of the public were “uncooperative”.
One of the cases involved a group of delivery riders who verbally abused the ambassadors when they approached.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also came across a hawker who was selling masks illegally at Ang Mo Kio. He was immediately told to close and given a $1,000 fine.
And the Singapore Police Force found a beauty salon along Upper Cross Street providing massage services without a licence during the Covid-19 circuit breaker period.
Circuit Breaker Measures Might Ramp Up If People in S’pore Don’t Buck Up
If people in Singapore continued breaching safety distancing measures put into place, the government will “strengthen the penalties and close more facilities”.
“We will do our part. We will not let up in our enforcement efforts. Those who continue to breach the safe distancing measures have been warned.”
The ministry has deployed more than 2,800 enforcement officers and ambassadors to maintain law and order.
And they’re not the only one.
NParks has also deployed officials “out in force” to maintain “safe distancing measures at all parks, gardens and nature reserves that it managed, including the Park Connector Network, Pulau Ubin, as well as parks managed by town councils.”
They’re also using drones to survey the bigger parks and nature grounds.
Similarly, the National Environment Agency is out in force as well.
By the way, saying “I don’t know” isn’t a get-out-of-jail card; enforcement actions were taken against a person at the market who didn’t comply with the safe distancing requirements and said he wasn’t aware of them.
Multi-Task Force Promises To Ramp Up Measures Too
On 9 Apr, Lawrence Wong, the face of Singapore’s fight against the Covid-19 outbreak, has spoken:
“Over the coming days as we monitor movement, we may very well have to tighten up some more.”
Other than extending the circuit breaker, he warns people in Singapore that they are always keeping an eye on the situation.
And should the people here refuse to adhere to measures and not stay home, they’ll take away more stuff from us.
For example, stadiums were originally open for people to work out. But after seeing how people disregarded rules and still turn up to exercise in groups, they are now closing the stadiums.
At the end of the day, whether the circuit breaker ends depend on a few factors, including the number of unlinked Covid-19 cases in Singapore.
Reader Bao: Wait, they said they might tighten up, not they will.
Yes, bao bao, you’re absolutely right. But think back to what you know about the people in Singapore, which do you think is likelier to happen?
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Reader: … Can you help me predict the winning numbers for the first Toto draw after the circuit breaker ends?
