Covid-19: PM Lee hoping for positive results of ‘circuit breaker’ to show by April 17

SINGAPORE — If everyone complies with the “circuit breaker”, Singapore should hopefully see positive results by April 17, or the 11th day, as New Zealand did when it imposed similar measures, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (April 9), Day 3 of the circuit breaker, Mr Lee said he had spoken with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to update each other on how both countries have been managing the Covid-19 crisis.

New Zealand’s two-week long nationwide lockdown began on March 25, and the number of cases has already charted downwards. The country has completed its lockdown and health officials there are now aiming to wipe out the virus from its islands.

Similar to Singapore, New Zealand’s lockdown required people to remain at home unless they were exercising outdoors while obeying safe distancing rules. Schools and non-essential businesses were also closed.

During this period, New Zealand police recorded more than 350 Covid-19 related offences — 45 were prosecuted in court. As of 4pm on Thursday, there are 1,239 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand and one death.

Ms Ardern told Mr Lee that after her country implemented the measures, the Covid-19 numbers started to come down on Day 11, he said.

“We are only in Day 3 and still have a long way to go. If we all comply strictly, as the New Zealanders have done, hopefully by our Day 11 we too will see positive results,” he wrote.

Mr Lee pointed out that Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli had just announced earlier on Thursday that enforcement officers will immediately record the particulars of anyone breaching the safe distancing measures.

A stern written warning will be given immediately, instead of an advisory as before, Mr Masagos had said.

A repeated breach will result in a S$300 fine. A third breach will land the offender in court, and he may then face up to six months’ imprisonment and a S$10,000 fine.

Said Mr Lee: “We cannot wait to save lives. Please do your part today.”

He added that he had also discussed with Ms Ardern on how the two countries could support each other during this time, including keeping supply chains intact between the two countries.

“Both Singapore and New Zealand will continue to do our part in this global fight against Covid-19,” said Mr Lee.