Coronavirus: as Singapore bans gatherings, has long arm of the law overreached?
- New temporary laws ban social gatherings and allow the government to intervene in private contracts
- Legal and political experts voice concerns but say the measures suit the times. Still, some Singaporeans are not taking social distancing seriously
For example, with social gatherings of all sizes in public and private spaces banned, people who let others into their homes for meetings or who loiter outside their homes – they can go out for essential reasons such as buying groceries, food and exercise – now risk a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$7,000) and six months in jail. If businesses cannot pay rent due to the outbreak, landlords cannot terminate their lease, and for those that cannot continue with events such as weddings, they will not lose their deposits but can postpone the event.
In explaining why the temporary law was needed, Law Minister K. Shanmugam said: “This is the most serious crisis this country has faced since independence.”
“None of us in our lifetime have encountered an economic shock like this. And [the] government has to do everything to intervene to help keep some structure of the economy.”
The four legal and political commentators that This Week In Asia spoke to said the bill, which is valid for six months with the possibility of an extension of up to a year, was necessary though some had concerns.