Everything About the Tighter Circuit Breaker Rules Other Than BBT Closure

When PM Lee addressed a nation wearing a dark blue shirt, everyone knew shit was about to be acquainted with the fan.

And then he confirmed what many of us had predicted: that the circuit breaker period would be extended till 1 June.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, the authorities later announced that bubble tea stores would close, to the horror of Singaporeans all over the country.

But that begs the question: What else can’t we do during this extended circuit breaker?

Well, many things, as it turns out.

Specialised Food and Beverage Outlets to Close

Standalone stores that only sell beverages, snacks, or desserts will have to close for now.

This includes stores that sell drinks like bubble tea, fruit juice, coffee, and alcoholic drinks.

Even places that sell cakes and ice-cream like Bengawan Solo and Haagen–Dazs will have to temporarily close.

Yes, you’ll have to give up delicious ice cream, cakes, and bubble tea for a while, but at least you’ll be healthier, right?

Reader: I’d rather be fat and happy.

So would I, to be honest.

These closures are part of the gahmen’s aim to cut the number of workers in essential services commuting every day.

Some of these specialised stores will be able to sell their products online, though, so there’s no need to worry.

Plus, F&B outlets that sell meals, cooked snacks, and bread, as well as hawker centres, food courts, and coffee shops will be allowed to continue delivery and takeaway services, reported CNA.

Reader: That means I can continue to eat Chendol at the coffee shop, right?

You’re not great at listening, are you?

Reader: *eating Chendol* Did you say something?

Stores like Old Chang Kee and BreadTalk will also remain open, so you can still get your piping hot curry puffs and tasty buns.

Other Essential Services That Will Close

In addition to giving up bubble tea, you’ll have to look like a rockstar from the 80s because all hairdressing and barber services will also be closed during this period.

All F&B outlets in parks, including food vending machines but excluding hawker centres will shutter too.

The same goes for car parks in parks, gardens and nature reserves.

Pet owners should also note that retailers of pet food and pet supplies have been ordered to shut down for the time being, but you can still order their products online because, well, a dog’s got to eat.

Supermarket and Malls Still Open

Supermarkets and malls will still be open, but they will now conduct temperature screening at their entrances to detect customers with a fever.

Malls with high traffic have also been instructed to conduct contact tracing. You’ll be required to provide your personal particulars for this purpose.

Supermarkets are also encouraged to remind customers to limit entry to one person per family, where possible.

PM Lee already advised family members to leave the house on at a time, though, so this shouldn’t really be an issue.

Pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores will still remain open, of course.

Odd-Even Entry at 4 Wet Markets

There will be tighter restrictions at wet markets too, as shoppers will be now allowed into four popular wet markets based on the last digit of their NRIC number or Foreign Identification Number (FIN).

It’s pretty simple: Those with an even last digit will only be allowed entry on even-numbered dates of the month, and those with an odd number digit can shop on odd-numbered dates.

Reader: Is zero an even number?

Well, the world is still debating that, but the authorities certainly think it is.

This rules will apply to these four wet markets:

1. Geylang Serai Market

2. 505 Jurong West Street 5

3. 20 and 21 Marsiling Lane

4. 104 and 105 Yishun Ring Road (Chong Pang Market)

Optician

If you accidentally stepped on your glasses the moment the gahmen introduced these tighter measures, you’d be pretty unlucky.

Optician shops that sell contact lenses, prescription glasses and provide optometry services will only operate by appointment only, meaning you can’t just walk in and buy a brand new pair of specs.

So, if you need a pair of glasses urgently, remember to book in advance.

Tighter Measures At Workplaces

Businesses that remain open are also required to adopt additional measures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

These include:

• Not allowing teams working in different locations to interact physically.
• Implementing safe distancing measures at every workplace.
• Ensuring workers wear masks at the workplaces.
• Having a system that logs workers’ entry into and exit from their workplaces.

So your already incredibly-strict boss will now watch you like a hawk to make sure you’re obeying all the new rules.

June School Holidays Brought Forward

As for students, home-based learning will continue at least until 4 May, and the June school holidays will start earlier, on 5 May.

Students are probably confused as to whether they should celebrate or not.

It will cover the extended circuit breaker period and school will reopen on 2 June, according to The Straits Times.

Mid-year mother tongue language (MTL) exams will also be moved.

And if you’re taking your O-levels or A-levels, there are some things you should take note of:

• The O-level and A-level H1 MTL papers 1 and 2 scheduled for 1 June will be rescheduled to 18 June
• O-level and A-level MTL B papers 1 and 2 on 2 June will be shifted to 19 June
• The listening comprehension exam for O- and A-level MTL and MTL B will be rescheduled from July 21 and 22 respectively to 27 July

Exercise

if you’re feeling guilty about all the Netflix and Chilling you’ve been doing in the last few weeks, you can still go out to exercise, but you must do it alone.

“If you need to go out and exercise, exercise alone and in your own neighbourhood. Do not travel out to exercise”, said Minister Lawrence Wong.

Though with a multitude of exercises you can do at home, going out isn’t really necessary.

The Bottom Line

We won’t have access to many of our favourite things like bubble tea for a while, but these tighter measures are necessary to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

1,111 new cases were reported yesterday, most of whom were migrant workers from dormitories.

We now have a total of  9,125 cases, the highest in Southeast Asia.

While the authorities are still allowing us to go to malls, markets, and parks, we should really try to stay at home as much as possible.

The last thing we want is another extension of the circuit breaker.

Reader: Or, more importantly, an extension of the closure of bubble tea stores

Exactly.