Explainer: Can I… ? Your questions on the new ‘circuit-breaker’ laws answered

SINGAPORE — “Circuit-breaker” measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic started on Tuesday (April 7) along with Parliament passing the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill, which gives the Government the legal basis to enforce safe-distancing measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus. 

The new regulations came into force on Wednesday and will last till May 4. After this period, the Government will review these measures and may choose to extend or adjust them if needed.

TODAY highlights some of the dos and don’ts under these new laws. 

Q: May I meet someone at a park for a walk or to exercise?

Not unless they are living with you. While you may exercise at any open-air stadium, public path or public park, you may only do so alone or with someone who lives with you. 

Activities that may attract like-minded participants are not allowed. These include fishing, flying kites, windsurfing and skateboarding for leisure. 

Q: I need to visit my elderly parents to look after them and drop my child off at a relative’s house to be cared for while I work. Am I still allowed to do so?

Yes, you may still visit family members to help them with their daily needs including caring for elderly parents or for childcare arrangements.

You may also leave your home to help individuals with their daily needs as long as they fall within these criteria: They have a physical or mental disability or are below 12 years of age or above 60.

Q: May a friend or relative help me to move to another house?

No. While moving services are allowed to continue, you may not physically meet a friend or relative for this reason. 

Q: Are my children allowed to visit playgrounds or play in common spaces near my home, including void decks or a grass patch in a condominium?

No. You cannot use sports or recreational facilities in a shared area inside a sub-divided building even if you live there. Any sports facilities in public spaces are off-limits as well. 

You are also not allowed to use common areas such as void decks or shared facilities in Housing and Development Board estates as well as condominiums even if you live there. 

Q: Can my part-time cleaner or private tutor still come to my home?

No. All private tutors must suspend lessons and tuition centres must stop all physical group sessions. They may, however, continue to conduct their lessons online.

Likewise, all home-cleaning services are suspended.

Q: May I still get a haircut?

Yes. Basic haircut services such as cutting, washing and blowing of hair are permitted, but must be kept to one hour or less. You cannot, however, colour or perm your hair, or treat it with chemicals.

Similarly, all nail salons and massage parlours will be closed. 

Q: Will I be able to order items online and have them delivered and set up in my home? 

Yes. Delivery services are still running and delivery employees are allowed to assist with setting up furniture or IT-related products in your home. 

But they must maintain a safe distance of 1m from all occupants of the house, minimise contact and interaction, and leave immediately after completing their work. Companies must also ensure that the number of staff involved in delivery or installation is kept to the minimum.

Q: Can a friend or loved one move into my house?

No, you must not move around between different places of accommodation or leave your place of residence, which is the address that you usually stay in. This does not need to be your registered NRIC or FIN address.

Q: May I visit my boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance or fiancee, or my sibling who lives nearby?

No. Any social contact is strictly limited to those living within your household.

Q: May I eat by myself in a void deck or other public areas?

No, you cannot loiter or eat in a public area even if you are by yourself. 

Q: What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Anyone who flouts these restrictions will be subject to penalties under the Infectious Diseases Act. 

A first-time offender can be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to six months.

Repeat offenders may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or punished with both.

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article, we reported that it was possible for an individual to move into another place of residence as long as he does not move elsewhere within six months. This is incorrect. All individuals must stay in their usual place of residence.