More than 200 people face fines for not complying with safe distancing measures, not wearing masks

SINGAPORE — About 150 people did not care to keep to safe distancing rules and another 50 did not wear a mask when they were out and about.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said: “I hope these people realise that their actions are putting their families and their community at risk.”

In a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 22), he was giving the latest update on the enforcement work to ensure people are keeping to regulations to minimise close contact and take precautionary measures to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Since April 12, first-time offenders have been issued fines of S$300 for not keeping a safe distance of 1m apart from other people. Repeat offenders will face higher fines or prosecution in court for serious cases.

On Tuesday, the Government announced tighter controls for access to wet markets, and Mr Masagos reminded the public on what they should do if they plan to visit any of the four popular markets here.

These include: Going to the market alone, checking if they are able to enter the market on the day of visit, and carrying with them a photo identification such as their National Registration Identification Card (NRIC).

The four markets with limited access to control crowds are Geylang Serai Market, Chong Pang Market at Block 104 and 105 Yishun Ring Road, as well as the markets at Block 20 and 21 Marsiling Lane and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52.

People whose NRIC number or Foreign Identification Number (Fin) ends in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) may visit these markets only on even dates of the month. Those with odd numbers as the last digit (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may do so on odd dates of the month.

Mr Masagos was glad to hear from officers at the markets that the crowds have thinned and that people generally understood the objectives of the enhanced control measures, but he said that the duration of the circuit breaker “will depend on each of us”.

The period of restricted movement was to have ended on May 4 but was extended to June 1 by the Government on Tuesday.

Mr Masagos said: “If we stay at home as much as possible, we can help bring local transmission numbers down. Then, the multi-ministry task force can ease some of the measures earlier rather than later.”

He added: “The circuit breaker has been difficult for all of us. Let us work together to make it a success in the shortest time possible.”

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