The Covid-19 situation in Singapore is getting better with every passing day.
The number of daily infections in the past week have remained under 100 for the most part, with zero community cases reported twice in the last three days.
This means everything can go back to normal, right?
Advertisements
Reader: Yup, that sounds about righ-
WELL, YOUโRE WRONG. YOUโRE WRONG!
Reader: Alright alright please stop shouting.
As weโve witnessed time and time again, the coronavirus will come back with a vengeance if you ease restrictions and claim victory too soon.
And thatโs what the Singapore government believes in as well.
Despite the risks, however, some Singaporeans are still flouting Covid-19 regulations, all in the name of recreation.
Town Councils Will Close Badminton / Basketball Courts if People Continue to Gather There
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu has warned residents that town councils will close game courts and community facilities if safe distancing rules are not adhered to.
In a post on Facebook, Fu said that while she appreciated the importance of leading an active lifestyle, safety is the governmentโs โutmost priorityโ.
Advertisements
For those who donโt know, Fu was recently appointed Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in PM Leeโs cabinet reshuffle, which means sheโs basically the countryโs discipline master now.
As Fu noted, public areas such as game courts, beaches, parks, as well as community facilities have reopened since the country shifted to Phase 2 of its safe reopening.
This was because the Covid-19 situation had improved, and infections started to dwindle.
Still, the authorities were cautious and implemented safe distancing measures at these areas which included:
Advertisements
- maintaining a safe distance of at least 1m between individuals or groups
- limiting the group size for any activity (social or sporting) to a maximum of 5 persons
- prohibiting intermingling between groups
Members of the public are also required to wear masks at all times unless eating, drinking, or engaging in strenuous exercise.
However, Fu said the authorities have received complaints that people have been flouting these rules lately at game courts located in various HDB estates.
The minister said that large groups of residents continue to gather frequently at game courts despite the efforts of safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers.
Some of them donโt even wear masks when theyโre not engaging in any sports or strenuous activity.
โWe take these breaches very seriouslyโ, she said.
Advertisements
Should these breaches persist, Fu warned that the town council will close game courts and community facilities where safe management measures are not adhered to.
โI sincerely hope that all of us can continue with our sporting activities in a socially responsible way. Remember that community vigilance is our first line of defence. We are responsible for our own health, and the safety of our loved onesโ, the minister said.
Fu also urged residents to report those who violate safe distancing rules through the OneService app so that agencies can investigate the matter.
Badminton Group Suspended by SportSG For Breaking Rules
Remember that badminton group that flouted safe distancing rules at the ActiveSG Jurong East Indoor Sports Hall last month?
Even though all sports activities are limited to no more than five participants, the organiser of this badminton group booked six courts.
His group, which met through online platform Meetup, had booked six courts because they had 29 players.
Advertisements
This wasnโt just a problem because it was against the rules, but because one of them ended up being a Covid-19 patient.
All 29 players in the group later had their ActiveSG membership accounts suspended by SportsSG.
They claimed the rules were vague, but it wasnโt a convincing argument.
If you want to continue smashing shuttlecocks and bouncing big red balls on the court with your friends, please abide by the safe distancing rules in place. Itโs not rocket science.
Hereโs what NCMPs are, and what to expect after GE2025:
Read Also:
- Isetan to Close Tampines Mall Store After Nearly 30 Years as Anchor Tenant
- Massive Bedbug Infestation from Vacant HDB Flat Torments At Least Seven Ang Mo Kio Households
- 31-Year-Old Man Charged after Violent Attack Caught on Camera, Arsenal of Weapons Found in Sengkang Raid
- Former Teacher Gets 19-Month Sentence After CCTV Captures Shocking Abuse of Two Toddlers at Singapore Pre-School
- Chinese Student Studying in Singapore Kidnapped in Malaysia, Parents Received 3.5 Million Yuan Ransom Demand with Death Threats
- Singapore Ministers Deny Personal Ties with Convicted Money Launderer Su Haijin After Photos Surface Online