THE CIRCUIT BREAKER:
A DECISIVE BREAK TO CURB THE SPREAD
The choices that we make now will define who we are as a people, and what values and ideals we pass on to future generations.
On Apr 3, 2020, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that Singapore would implement a “circuit breaker”, which would involve significantly stricter measures to pre-empt escalating COVID-19 infections.
The measures kicked in on Apr 7, 2020. Singapore’s streets were emptied of people and activity.
Most workplace premises were closed, except for essential services. Residents had to work from home, except those who were granted exemption.
Schools and institutes of higher learning shifted to home-based learning. Preschool and student care centres suspended services.
The public were advised to stay home, apart from going out for daily necessities, essential services or urgent medical needs. Social contact was limited to members in the same household.
Public parks and open-air stadiums remained open, but gatherings in groups were not allowed. Safe distancing had to be practised at all times.
LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS
The circuit breaker lasted for 54 days. Prioritising the health of Singaporeans involved some trade-offs – according to a Straits Times news article in August 2020, the loss in GDP as a result of the circuit breaker was estimated to be S$11 billion.
Considerations the authorities kept in mind vis-a-vis the circuit breaker:
MINIMISING IMPACT ON LIVELIHOODS
It would have been easy to say ‘just close the economy’, but livelihoods would be affected, as would social interactions and well-being.
ENABLING LIVES TO CARRY ON
It was critical to ensure that public access to essential services and food supplies was not cut off, including giving support to vulnerable groups who needed help with food delivery.
BEING FAIR AND CONSISTENT
Most measures needed to be applied across the board, and exemptions properly rationalised. For example, if hairdressers could continue operating, could nail salons?
NEED
FOR THE
CIRCUIT
BREAKER
“We really need everyone to make individual sacrifices, make these necessary adjustments for this one-month period of circuit breaker to be effective. And again, if we all do our part, if we all work together, we have a chance of controlling the spread of the virus and together, we will be able to protect ourselves, our family members and save lives.”
EXITING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER
“As we end this circuit breaker, I thank everyone again for playing your part, so that we can now reopen safely. We must all keep at it together. Do not allow the sacrifices of our healthcare workers and others who have kept Singapore running to be in vain.”
