Coronavirus: Singapore bans public and private gatherings of any size in outbreak fight
- Under laws passed in Parliament on Tuesday, family members or friends who are not living together cannot gather at home or in public spaces
- The government said that the ‘circuit breaker’ measures, which are in place till May 4, will be reviewed once the period has ended
During a debate on the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that the laws would include any private parties or gatherings among family members or friends who are not living together, at home or in public spaces such as in parks and the void decks of public housing estates.
The Bill provides the legal basis for the government to enforce the enhanced safe-distancing measures that it has introduced to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
These new laws are valid for six months and empower the Health Minister or any public officer authorised by him to appoint enforcement officers to take action against individuals, business owners or entities flouting the orders and requirements, Gan said.
Enforcement officers will include police officers, public officers and health officers appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act.
The Bill allows the Health Minister to prohibit events and gatherings or impose conditions on how they are conducted and on the participation in such activities, Gan said.