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Singapore - which for nearly 3 months has been the poster child for successful contact tracing and containment of COVID-19 cases - has, much like Taiwan and Hong Kong, recently seen a surge in cases.
Until now, they have managed to avoid many of the more extreme societal and economic shutdowns that other countries have employed to reduce transmission.But over the past 5 days they have recorded nearly 200 new cases, and today have announced new, more restrictive measures, to try to slow the spread of the virus.
That said, most of these restrictions are far less onerous than we've seen ordered in other countries; schools and many workplaces remain open, restaurants can continue to operate with adequate patron separation, and some low-contact public venues are allowed to continue operation.
TIGHTER MEASURES TO MINIMISE FURTHER SPREAD OF COVID-19
24TH MAR 2020
The recent spike in imported cases signals a new phase in our fight against COVID-19. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce recently disbarred all short-term visitors from entering or transiting through Singapore, and further curtailed the entry of work pass holders. We have also implemented safe distancing measures within Singapore. But more still needs to be done to reduce the risk of further local transmission of COVID-19.
Safe Distancing Measures for the General Population
2. Many countries have imposed total lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus. Such lockdowns have significantly disrupted lives and economies throughout the world, but were deemed necessary to ease the strain on healthcare systems in those countries.
3. We therefore cannot afford to be complacent in Singapore. We must implement tighter safe distancing measures now to minimise activities and exposure, so as to significantly reduce the risks of seeding new local clusters. For safe distancing to be effective, all Singaporeans must take it seriously and do their part. Otherwise, we will need more drastic measures later.
4. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has decided to enforce stricter measures that would limit gatherings outside of work and school to 10 persons or fewer, and ensure that physical distancing of at least one metre can be achieved in settings where interactions are non-transient. These measures will take effect from 26 March 2020, 2359 hours. We expect these measures to be in place until 30 April 2020, but this may be extended if the situation does not improve.
Entertainment Venues
5. We will close all bars and entertainment venues like night clubs, discos, cinemas, theatres, and karaoke outlets, where there is a high risk of transmission due to sustained close contact over a period of time.
6. Other public venues such as retail malls, museums and attractions, where contact is more transient, may remain open. However, operators are to ensure the following:
a. Reduce operating capacity within the venue at any one time, so that the venue does not have more than one person per 16 square metres of usable space. This is to significantly reduce the density of crowds in these venues, especially during peak periods.
b. Groups must not exceed 10 persons. Shows within attractions (indoor and outdoor), group tours at the museums, and open atrium sales events1 will be suspended.
c. Disperse congregations and provide an environment that allows at least one metre physical spacing between patrons. These include queues and waiting areas. Operators are encouraged to offer services by appointment or through digital services where possible, to minimise queues. Crowds should be quickly dispersed.
7. Retail malls and attractions that are unable to adhere to these requirements must be closed. Additional penalties may be imposed on those which are found to have been a place of transmission of COVID-19, if the venues are found not to have adhered to these requirements.
8. Organised tours in public venues (e.g., sightseeing or guided walking tours) will be suspended.
9. Existing measures for food and beverage venues continue to apply. Other activities such as live music or karaoke which are likely to cause patrons to congregate will have to cease. Food and beverage outlets must set up their spaces (arrangement of tables and seating) to ensure separation of at least one metre between tables or different groups of diners.
• Related diners (e.g. family members, couples) can be seated together at one table, but the tables must be spaced out.
• Groups of diners should also be limited to 10 persons or fewer.
Patrons of eating establishments with fixed seating – for example, hawker centres and coffee shops – must use alternate seats. Premise managers should mark out seats to facilitate these arrangements.
Tuition and Enrichment Centres
10. All centre-based tuition and enrichment classes will be suspended. This is to reduce the intermingling of students from different schools and enhance the safety of our students.
Faith-based Activities
11. All religious services and congregations will be suspended. Places of worship (e.g. temples, mosques, churches) may remain open for private worship and essential rites, subject to group sizes of 10 persons or fewer at any one time.
Events
12. All events and mass gatherings (e.g. conferences, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, sporting events, trade fairs) must be deferred or cancelled, regardless of size. This is a tightening of the previous requirement where all events and gatherings were to be limited to fewer than 250 participants.
13. Singaporeans are advised to avoid holding and participating in social events and gatherings involving more than 10 persons at any one time. These include private celebrations like birthdays and weddings. For funerals and wakes, attendance should be limited as far as possible to family members only, and gatherings of 10 or fewer people at any one point. Much as we understand the need for friends and acquaintances to pay their last respects and give comfort to families in their grief, we urge the public to do their part in minimising social interactions so that we can slow down the spread of the virus together.
Workplaces
14. Existing measures for workplaces continue to apply. Employers should put in place measures to reduce close physical interactions amongst employees. Tele-conferencing should be used in place of physical meetings wherever possible. Where employees can perform their work by telecommuting from home, employers must ensure that they do so.(Continue . . . .)
Each country is trying to figure out how much social distancing is enough, in hopes of not completely destroying their economy in the process. So far, when combined with aggressive testing and contact tracing and quarantines, the middle road approach taken by Singapore appears to have been effective.
Of course, what works in Singapore - which has a year-round tropical climate - might not work nearly as well in other regions of the world.
There is truly no one-size-fits all solution for COVID-19.
