Many countries have adopted nationwide lockdowns in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In Singapore, the Government has called for a partial lockdown, or known as “circuit breaker” measures, to slow down the local transmission of the virus.
Singaporean, Chris Tong, who self-quarantined after returning home from Wuhan, China—the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)—shared with TODAY his observations on the “circuit breaker” measures in Singapore which contrasted heavily with the lockdown in China.
On 19 January, Mr Tong travelled to Wuhan with his parents who are in their 50s, his wife Mandy Hu, their Indonesian domestic helper, their two-year-old son, and eight-month-old daughter to celebrate Chinese New Year with his wife’s parents, who are staying in the Hanyang district.
The celebration, however, turned into a period of self-isolation beginning from 23 January as China imposed a lockdown in Wuhan, where the virus first emerged. Mr Tong found out about the lockdown from a microblogging site, Weibo, at 2am that day.
TODAY highlighted that the family spent two months, two weeks, and two days in lockdown at Mr Tong’s in-laws’ place.
According to Mr Tong, when Singapore’s authorities arranged two flights to bring back Singaporeans from Wuhan, he did not take up any of the chances to go back to his homeland.
The first flight was on 31 January, but Mr Tong opted to stay in Wuhan due to the short notice given and his children not understanding how to properly wear face masks. Mr Tong also chose to miss the second flight which was scheduled on 9 February due to fears that his family could potentially contract the virus from other infected passengers on the plane.
Mr Tong, who works at an industrial firm with links to the petrochemical industry, had to work remotely from Wuhan by using WhatsApp and WeChat to keep in touch with his colleagues despite the complications of working remotely.
After the Chinese authorities lifted the lockdown in Wuhan on 8 April, Mr Tong returned to Singapore on 13 April for work purposes and decided to leave his extended family in Wuhan, where he believes it would be much safer for them as he noted the decreasing trend of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan.
On his way to Shanghai for his flight to Singapore, he took a fast train where he was required to prove that he was well and had not been in contact with anyone who was sick, by showing a green QR code.
Mr Tong said that after his temperature was taken and he was guaranteed to be safe to travel for 24 hours, he was given a green QR code on a sheet of paper by the housing complex office because he was a foreigner, unlike the Chinese locals who can get their green QR code on their phones.
After he returned to Singapore, Mr Tong had to serve 14 days of isolation in the Regent Hotel on Cuscaden Road.
Following his lockdown experience in Wuhan, he observed just how differently the two countries dealt with the ongoing outbreak.
TODAY highlighted that Mr Tong expressed a sense of disbelief about the way some Singaporeans are behaving amid the country’s “circuit breaker” measures, as he compared to the empty streets in Wuhan when China declared a lockdown compared to Singapore’s busy lanes.
“I can still see maids walking their dogs together and people running without masks from our hotel window,” Mr Tong told TODAY via a phone call.
Noting that essential entities, such as banks and food establishments, are still allowed to remain open during the imposition of the “circuit breaker” measures in Singapore, Mr Tong stated that only supermarkets were allowed to open for business in Wuhan during the lockdown in China.
“When the lockdown first started, we would only be able to buy groceries every three days when there were very few delivery slots. The options that we had were also limited,” he remarked.
In order to reduce the need to go out, Mr Tong advised Singaporeans to resort to online grocery delivery instead.
“Many people learnt how to cook dishes that they never thought they could cook during the lockdown,” Mr Tong asserted.
He understood the difficulties of staying at home within the first two weeks of lockdown but assured that it will be an advantage for the family to bond.
More than 7,000 advisories were issued on the first day of the “circuit breaker” in Singapore
On 8 April, Minister of Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli announced on Facebook that more than 7,000 advisories were issued as of 8pm on the first day of the “circuit breaker” measures – that took effect on 7 April – to people who breached the measures.
Mr Masagos noted that 3,000 written advisories were issued on the second day of the “circuit breaker” (8 April) but there were fewer advisories on the second day because the groups dispersed when advised.
“Our Enforcement Officers are still finding people, young and old, gathering in groups day and night on the 2nd day of our circuit breaker. Exercise groups are still meeting in the parks. A good number still do not observe safe distancing when queueing, especially in the markets,” he wrote.
The Government stepped up on enforcement on 9 April and anyone found breaching the “circuit breaker” measures will immediately be issued a written warning, while those who repeatedly breach the measures will be fined or charged in court.
According to Mr Masagos, first-time offenders will be issued a stern written warning. Individuals who commit a second offence will be fined S$300, while a third offence will lead to the person being charged in court.
He implored members of the public to stay at home and protect the elderly who are the most vulnerable, adding “young or old – none of us are immune”.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also warned on Facebook on 9 April that any group gatherings in public will immediately be issued a written warning by enforcement officers. He added that there were still many public gatherings spotted on the third day of the “circuit breaker” measures.
