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Singapore closes school, office faces one month of Covid-19 cases
Reuters -April 3, 2020 6:23 PM
Despite the social outcry, the spread of Covid-19 in Singapore has increased significantly in recent weeks.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore government will close schools and most places of work, except for important services and the major economic sectors for a month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday, as a more stringent step to stop the spread of coronaviruses.
Infectious cases in Singapore, both imported and domestic, have increased significantly in recent weeks and reached 1,000 cases this week.
The Republic also recorded its 5th death today.
"We have decided not to tighten in stages over the next few weeks. We need to take firm steps now, to prevent further infections," Lee said in his speech.
Food, markets and supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, utilities, transportation and banking services will continue to open. The Republic will also change the learning from home entirely to all its schools and universities.
Lee urged Singaporeans to stay home and avoid socializing with others outside.
He said the republic had sufficient food supply during that time and in the future.
The government will also announce additional support for households and businesses on Monday, he said.
Singapore has taken some social measures to curb the spread of the virus, but has left schools, offices and restaurants open.
PM Lee on COVID-19 situation: At a glance
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave an update on the COVID-19 situation in an address to the nation on Friday (Apr 3), in which he announced significantly stricter measures in what he termed as a "decisive move" to pre-empt escalating infections.
This is the third time Mr Lee has spoken to the nation on the COVID-19 situation.
On Mar 12, he sought to reassure the public that the situation in Singapore remained under control, and set out various measures that might need to be implemented going forward.
Noting the increase in number of daily new COVID-19 cases, as well as local transmissions and clusters, Mr Lee said that the stricter measures will work as a circuit breaker and be in place for one month to help reduce the risk of a big outbreak and gradually bring Singapore's numbers down.
From next Tuesday (Apr 7) until May 4, most workplaces - except for essential services and key economic sectors - will be closed.
Food establishments, markets and supermarkets, clinics, hospitals, utilities, transport and key banking services will remain open, as will their supply chains.
In a separate release, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that all restaurants, hawker centres, coffeeshops, food courts and other food and beverage outlets will remain open only for takeaway or delivery.
From next Wednesday, schools and institutes of higher learning will also be closed and move fully to home-based learning. All pre-school and student care centres will also be closed, but will provide limited services for children of parents who have to continue working and are unable to make alternative care arrangements.
There will also be restrictions on movements and gatherings of people. As far as possible, individuals should remain at home and avoid visiting even their extended families, particularly the elderly, said Mr Lee.
Individuals should only leave their homes if they work in essential services or key economic sectors, or to buy food or exercise in neighbourhood parks, he said.
"The spirit of these measures is to get all of us to minimise physical contact. If we don’t go out, if we avoid contact with others, then the virus won’t be able to spread. It is as simple as that," said Mr Lee.
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