More Measures to be Implemented in Markets from Friday; Advised to Go Just Once a Week

It has been 2 days since the circuit breaker measures were implemented on 7 April in a bid to battle the highly contagious coronavirus.

Needless to say, it was quite a big step for all of us as non-essential businesses closed its doors and dine-in at food and beverage establishments were prohibited.

This also meant that social gatherings of any size in public and private places are banned, and those who flout the rules can be fined, jailed or both.

Now, it seems that even markets are getting their own set of measures:

More Measures to be Implemented in Markets from Friday; Advised to Go Just Once a Week

As part of the Government’s circuit-breaker measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, more markets will have crowd management measures.

Hopefully, this will stop further spread of the coronavirus here in Singapore.

Additionally, beginning Thursday, government enforcement officers who find people gathered in public will issue written warnings to them immediately, before asking them to disperse, according to Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli on Facebook.

“Subsequent infringements will incur a fine or prosecution in court,” he added.

In his post, he also urged everyone to Stay Home, noting that enforcement officers are still finding people of all ages gathering in groups at all hours of the day.

“We need to work together:
Let’s all Stay Home
Go out only for essentials
Wear a mask when you go out.”

Crowd Management Measures At Markets

The National Environment Agency (NEA) also said that 15 markets all over Singapore will implement crowd management measures.

By Friday, 25 markets managed by the agency or NEA-appointed operators will also follow suit.

This essentially means that in total, 40 markets, which makes up around half of all markets in Singapore, will have crowd management measures implemented.

These crowd control measures include controlled entry and exit points where the number of customers allowed to enter is managed by the size and space of the market.

If a queue were to form outside of the market, members of the public will be required to stand at least 1m apart as part of safe distancing measures.

It’s kind of like the lines that form outside of shopping malls and the controlled entry and exit points.

Adjust Marketing Hours

NEA also advised the public to vary the time that they visit the market in light of the long weekend and more people working from home.

NEA also said that Singaporeans shouldn’t visit the market as often and should try to visit the market on weekdays where crowds are 30% lesser as compared to weekends.

If this is unavoidable, do avoid peak periods between 7.30am and 10am.

Mr Masagos also said that vulnerable groups such as the elderly should avoid visiting the markets on weekends and ask other members in the household or even neighbours to go on their behalf.

Enforcement Officers Issued 3000 advisories on Wednesday

Enforcement officers have issued 3,000 advisories on Wednesday, which is significantly less than the 7,000 issued to people for breaching stricter safe distancing measures on Tuesday.

On the other hand, over 900 advisories were issued at markets and hawker centres to individuals who failed to practice safe distancing on Wednesday.

NEA warns that strict action will be taken against those who fail to abide by the safe distancing measures.

Under the Infectious Diseases Act, anyone convicted of an offence can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed for up to six months, or both, for the first offence.

You can read more about it here.