The 'circuit breaker' will be extended until June 1 – and more things you need to know

In an address held by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 21 at 5 pm, he announced that tighter measures will be implemented to reduce the spread of Covid-19, including an extension of the 'circuit breaker' until June 1. While he acknowledged that the 'circuit breaker', implemented on April 7, has worked in reducing community transmission, there is also still "a hidden reservoir of hidden Covid-19 cases in the community." Hence, the tighter measures. 

Here's a quick recap of the new measures announced: 

1. The 'circuit breaker' will be extended until June 1 

Current measures will be tightened until May 4, in a bid to halt community transmission. The circuit breaker will also be extended for another four weeks until June 1. So no, you will not be able to see bae for the next month. 

2. Only one person from the household should be outside at one time 

You should only go out for essential needs, like buying food or necessities. You'll still be required to put on a mask, and only one member from the household can be outside at one time. This means that you can't go to the supermarket with your mother, or jog at East Coast Park with your family members. There will also be the introduction of an 'odd-even NRIC number system' for visiting popular spots like wet markets. Depending on the last digit of a person's NRIC or FIN, shoppers will only be permitted entry on odd or even dates. 

3. More places to close 

Lastly, PM Lee also stated that more workplaces will be closed to further minimise contact among the workers. Only shops, factories, and others which are providing the most essential services will remain open. Food and beverage outlets selling only beverages, snacks, confectioneries and desserts have to close – this means no bubble tea till June, people. Millennials and Gen Zers are panic buying at Koi and Gong Cha as we speak.

Need more things to keep yourself occupied for the next six weeks? Check out these best live streams and online initiatives by local theatre groups, or shop for a new book from these local bookstores with delivery services.