Singapore gets stricter on law enforcement for virus spread

Bloomberg

Singapore will start imposing fines on first-timers who flout social-distancing rules, while those who aren’t wearing masks may be barred from entering some premises which provide essential services, as the spread of coronavirus in the city-state showed few signs of abating.
The government has closed beaches, and some areas of parks and nature reserves, saying “tougher measures” are
necessary as safe-distancing measures aren’t being strictly followed. It is also making it mandatory for commuters to wear masks on public transport even after the end of a partial lockdown period.
“In theory, we could keep most places open, so long as safe distancing measures are strictly adhered to,” Minister
for National Development Lawrence Wong wrote in a Facebook post. “But increasingly we see that this is hard to achieve.”
The country reported its highest daily increase of infections April 09 with more than 200 of the 287 new cases linked to foreign worker dormitories, where inhabitants often stay in cramped conditions. The number of new cases were at 198 on April 10 and 191 on April 11, with many infections as yet unlinked to known clusters.
Singapore has banned social gatherings and shuttered most workplaces till at least May 4 as part of measures to slow the pace of infections. Schools are also closed, and only those providing essential services are
allowed to remain open during what it’s calling a “circuit breaker” period. Starting from Sunday, people visiting various markets, convenience stores, pharmacies and shopping malls will have to wear masks, or be denied entry, authorities said in a statement.
The government, which has distributed masks to each household, will make it compulsory to wear them on public transport after the partial lockdown is over and buses and trains become crowded again, according to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
“This will minimise transmission in public transport during post-CB period when safe distancing is compromised,” Khaw said in a Facebook post. “To prepare for this, we will get commuters to wear masks, now, when using public transport.”
Khaw didn’t say how long it will remain mandatory for the masks to be used.
Enforcement officers will impose a fine of S$300 even on first-time offenders who violate circuit breaker rules, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli wrote in a Facebook post. There are still too many people not taking the circuit breaker measures seriously, Masagos said.
“We issued more than 3,000 stern warnings today, and more fines,” he wrote. “Stiffer penalties are clearly needed.”