SINGAPORE — Parents will no longer be allowed to drop off children at their grandparents’ home on a daily basis as part of care arrangements, as the authorities moved to tighten “circuit breaker” measures.  

This is because every time this is done, the elderly grandparents are at an increased risk of being exposed to Covid-19, Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong said on Thursday (April 9).

“The elderly are more vulnerable and we should refrain from exposing them to the risk of infection by avoiding physical contact, every time we meet them we put them at risk. I know these are painful measures…This is to ensure minimum exposure to seniors,” said Mr Gan during a press conference by the multi-ministry taskforce spearheading Singapore’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

So if these are the care arrangements currently, parents should leave children with grandparents throughout the circuit breaker period, he added.

The circuit breaker period, which will see enhanced safe-distancing measures enforced, began on Tuesday and will be in force till May 4.

Mr Gan said that for essential workers who may have problems adhering to this rule, they can consider leaving their children at childcare centres.

If after considering childcare centres, they still have problems with their childcare arrangements, the Government will look into their appeals and decide on a case-by-case basis.

As for elderly parents living alone, Mr Gan said that their children will be allowed to visit them but should do so while observing strict hygiene protocols and they should reduce interaction time with them as far as possible.

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