If you’re wondering why the Singapore government has to impose additional Chinese New Year restrictions, especially since we should all know what to do already, here’s why.
Chinatown Reportedly Extremely Crowded Last Weekend With No Safe-Distancing
Here’s what Chinatown looks like last weekend:
According to TNP, who sent their people over to Chinatown to surveil the area, it was “teeming with hundreds of shoppers wearing masks”.
Unfortunately, that’s the only thing done right as no safe-distancing was observed during their time there.
To make it worse, there was reportedly only one shop enforcing the SafeEntry protocol.
This is despite the fact that the annual CNY bazaar at Chinatown was cancelled.
“Covid Fatigue”
If this is the first time you’ve heard of the term, it basically means that you’re “burnt out from the prolonged and heightened state of fear and caution” due to Covid-19.
While it comes with a myriad of unwanted consequences, one of them is people dropping their guards against Covid-19.
According to an ST report back in 2020, 44 per cent of people surveyed are “tired” of following Covid-19 rules and repeated exposure to Covid-19 news and advisories may cause complacency.
Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist in Singapore, thinks that we have Covid-19 fatigue.
“Too many people. Exactly what the virus would want. I expected it. We have Covid fatigue.”
While masks do provide some form of protection, Dr Leong said, it’s based on the assumption that people wear their masks properly and practise strict hand hygiene practices.
If the situation persists, he warns, it will lead to a “super spreader event”.
Difficult To Enforce Safe-Distancing
According to safe-distancing ambassadors in the area, it was hard to control the people.
“We have to make sure everyone is 1m apart and wearing masks, but since it is a weekend, it is difficult to control them.”
They’ve activated teams from Orchard and other areas and even got the police to help out, to no avail.
“We really need the cooperation of the public.”
S’pore Might See A Spike
I know what you’re thinking: so we have a few black sheeps. So what?
Well, the consequences might be more than you’d expect.
Dr Leong is of the opinion that if the situation continues, we might just be seeing a spike in cases after the festive season, just like what we’ve seen happening in other countries.
After all, the recipe is perfect: big gatherings, more transmissible Covid-19 variant and Covid Fatigue.
He added that no one wants a second Circuit Breaker in Singapore anytime soon.
For those who need reminding, here are the updated Chinese New Year regulations for the festive season.
Encourage your family and friends to follow them, no matter how much they wish otherwise, eh?
Feature Image: Instagram
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