COVID-19: Social gatherings of any size in both private and public spaces prohibited under new Bill

[invis]

SINGAPORE: As Singapore battles the COVID-19 outbreak, all social gatherings of any size in both private and public spaces have been banned under a new Bill passed in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 7).

 

This would include private parties or gatherings with families or friends not living together, at home or in public spaces such as HDB void decks, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong. 

 

Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill, the Government has included provisions to provide the legal basis in order to enforce the enhanced safe distancing measures, said Mr Gan. "These are temporary measures specific to the COVID-19 situation we are facing currently," he added.

 

Under the Bill, the Health Minister can prohibit events and gatherings or impose conditions on how they are conducted and on the participation in such activities.

 

"This enables us to better regulate events and gatherings, including those that take place on private properties," said Mr Gan in Parliament. "For example, we had earlier required certain events and mass gatherings to be deferred or cancelled."

 

The Bill will be valid for six months, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had said earlier, with the Minister for Law given power to extend it for up to a year.

 

Mr Gan highlighted that the circuit breaker measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 will be imposed until May 4.

 

 

"We will review the situation then, to decide whether there is a need to extend the 'circuit breaker' period, and if so, whether some of the measures need to be adjusted," he said.

 

In addition, the Bill will also allow the minister to restrict individuals’ movements and interactions at their place of residence or any specified place, as well as their use of common areas such as void decks, said Mr Gan.

 

"While the majority of Singaporeans are responsible and will try to comply with the safe distancing measures, there will inevitably be a few individuals who do not treat the situation seriously and blatantly disregard the rules," he added. "We will not hesitate to take action against such persons and send a strong signal to prevent such behaviour from negating our collective efforts during this crucial circuit breaker to slow down the infection."

 

Under the Bill, the Minister for Health also has the power to close premises to minimise interactions and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

 

The Bill also provides the option to bring the Requisition of Resources Act (RORA) into effect, for the purposes of containing COVID-19 and caring for the patients and those at risk, said Mr Gan. 

 

He added: “The allows for the requisition of land, property or services needed to ramp up our healthcare capacity and public health capabilities. 

 

“For instance, if the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Singapore, it may become necessary to requisition buildings suitable for conversion into accommodations and care facilities in order to isolate individuals who are suspected or confirmed to be infected, to reduce the risk of further spread, while caring for them.”

 

The Bill will empower the minister or any public officer authorised by the minister to appoint enforcement officers to take action against individuals, business owners or entities which flout the orders and requirements. 

 

These enforcement officers include police officers, public officers and health officers appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act.

 

"For our enhanced safe distancing measures to work, we need members of the public to take the measures seriously," said Mr Gan. "Therefore, failure to adhere to the measures without a reasonable justification will constitute an offence. We need to send a strong signal to those who are egregious in flouting the measures, as they are putting not only themselves but also others at risk."

 

However, he added that enforcement officers will look at the facts of the cases "carefully", including whether there are reasonable explanations for any non-compliance, before taking action.

 

The penalties are "aligned" with those under the Infectious Diseases Act, said Mr Gan.

 

For first time offenders, the penalty is a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. For second or subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

 

There are provisions in the Bill for safeguards, stressed Mr Gan.

 

"First, let me emphasise that the minister may make such orders only when the minister is satisfied that the incidence and transmission of COVID-19 constitute a serious threat to public health, and that the provisions of a control order are necessary or expedient to prevent or contain the spread," he said. 

 

In addition, a control order and any amendment must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after its publication in the Government Gazette, and Parliament may pass a resolution annulling the control order or any part or amendment of it.

 

The minister must also publish the control order such that it is brought to the notice of those affected by it, in addition to publishing it in the Gazette, Mr Gan added.

[chamfer]

What about those doing grabfood,deliveroo and foodpanda guys who are gathering around the malls chatting and smoking while waiting for incoming orders.

[The_King]

what about inside mrt and bus

[ManOfTheHour]

Fucking stupid

[Satki]

Dormitories are gathering?

[The_King]

Guy A:Hi bro, let gather inside mrt train.

 

Guy B: sure

 

Guy A and Guy B: transport is the new gathering spot

[meng.huat]

8 hours ago, chamfer said:

What about those doing grabfood,deliveroo and foodpanda guys who are gathering around the malls chatting and smoking while waiting for incoming orders.

 

zeh zeh damn sharp...

i saw this too...

gathering, smoking and making a lot of noise...

[meng.huat]

9 hours ago, invis said:

This would include private parties or gatherings with families or friends not living together, at home or in public spaces such as HDB void decks, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong. 

 

yesterday a KGK in my chat group was complaining about this rule...

he say we r becoming NK... cannot invite his friends over to play mahjong...

his parents >65 living with him...

 

idiots like this making everyone suffer

[socrates469bc]

that means kgk xdd @HarrisY cannot visit his atbgf until early may.

 

stay strong kgk xdd, we will all support u spiritually thru this difficult time.

[Satki]

The Korean guy song.

 

HAND SOAP

 

The rest up to you.

 

 

[The_King]

SINGAPORE - Social gatherings of any size, in homes or public spaces, will no longer be allowed under a new law for combating the coronavirus outbreak. 

The ban includes having private parties or gatherings with families or friends not living together, at home or in public spaces such as parks and Housing Board void decks, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Tuesday (April 7) .

He made the point when introducing the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill for debate in Parliament.

 

 

It was passed later in the day, giving  the Health Minister the power to prohibit events and gatherings, or impose conditions on how they are conducted.

Said Mr Gan: "This enables us to better regulate events and gatherings, including those that take place on private properties."

The authorities had previously advised against holding and participating in social gatherings with more than 10 people.

 

 

Last Friday (April 3), tighter measures were introduced. The authorities said social contact should be confined to immediate family members living in the same household and there should be no social gatherings.

 

The restrictions for four weeks started yesterday and will go on till May 4.

Mr Gan, who co-chairs the multi-ministry Covid-19 task force, said the Bill provides the legal basis to enforce enhanced safe distancing measures, and are temporary measures specific to the outbreak that Singapore is facing.

The  law will also allow the Government to requisition land, property or services needed to ramp up healthcare capacity and public health capabilities under the Requisition of Resources Act that was first passed in 1985.

 

Mr Gan told the House that if the number of Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Singapore, it may become necessary to requisition buildings that can be converted into accommodations and care facilities.

 

He said: "I am very grateful that today, many hotel and building operators have voluntarily stepped forward in this difficult period to work with the Government to support the national Covid-19 efforts.

"However, in a crisis like this, time is often of the essence and we cannot rely solely on commercial negotiation or the goodwill of these resource owners. We will need to move fast."

He added that the Government would exercise these powers judiciously, and work closely with affected stakeholders.

Under the Bill, the health minister would also have the power to close premises such as workplaces, schools, recreational facilities and places of worship, to minimise interactions and reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

It allows the minister to set requirements for premises in key economic sectors or essential services that are allowed to continue operating, including having food establishments open only for take-away or delivery, and not allowing customers to dine in.

The minister can also restrict the movement and interactions of individuals at their place of residence or other places, as well as their use of common areas like void decks, and shared facilities in HDB estates and private condominiums.

Mr Gan said: "While the majority of Singaporeans are responsible and will try to comply with the safe distancing measures, there will inevitably be a few individuals who do not treat the situation seriously and blatantly disregard the rules."

 

For instance, they may loiter and mingle in groups in public areas instead of staying at home, or refuse to adhere to safe distancing measures at food establishments or supermarkets, he said.

"We will not hesitate to take action against such persons and send a strong signal to prevent such behaviour from negating our collective efforts during this crucial circuit breaker to slow down the infection," he added.

WHAT'S ALLOWED?

The Act lists only 12 situations an individual may leave his or her home, as well as anything reasonably connected with the items on the list. These are:

(1) to work for or with an essential service provider, a specified school or an early childhood development centre

(2) to procure any goods or services from an essential service provider or a specified school

(3) to obtain — (i) medical treatment for a suspected Covid-19 infection at a hospital, medical clinic or any other place, designated by the Director for the treatment of Covid-19; or (ii) medical treatment that is of a pressing nature

(4) to engage in any recreational activity in an open-air stadium, public path or public park alone or with any other individual who lives with you. 

(5) where an individual works for or with an essential service provider, to bring the individual’s child or children to a place where the child or children are to be cared for.

(6) to assist any individual who has a physical or mental disability, or is below 12 years of age or above 60 years of age, with his or her daily needs.

(7) to report for enlistment or service under the Enlistment Act.

(8) to report to any law enforcement officer or to attend at any court in accordance with any warrant, summons or order made under any written law or order of a court. 

(9) to be present at any place in accordance with a requirement under any written law. 

(10) to seek or render help in an emergency.

(11) to move to another place of accommodation.

(12) to leave Singapore.

It also states that individuals must not allow others to enter his or her home except in very limited circumstances, including the provision of an essential service.

ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

The Act empowers the minister or any authorised public officer to appoint enforcement officers to take action against individuals, business owners or entities that flout the rules.

The enforcement officers will include police officers, public officers and health officers appointed under the Infectious Diseases Act.

 

While a strong signal needs to be sent to those who are egregious in flouting the measures, Mr Gan said enforcement officers will look at the facts of the cases carefully, including whether there were reasonable explanations for non-compliance.

Penalties are aligned with those under the Infectious Diseases Act. First-time offenders can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed up to six months.

For subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to $20,000, up to 12 months' jail, or both.

SAFEGUARDS

Mr Gan emphasised that the health minister may make such orders only when he is satisfied that the spread of Covid-19 constitutes a serious threat to public health, and that the control order was necessary to prevent or contain it.

Second, a control order and any amendment must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after its publication in the Gazette.

The House may pass a resolution annulling the control order, or any part or amendment of it.

 

Third, the minister must publish the control order so that those affected are aware of it, in addition to publishing it in the Gazette.

The minister noted that the latest "circuit breaker" measures offer an important opportunity to slow the Covid-19 infection significantly.

"The key message is simply this: 'Stay home. Go out only for essential activities. Avoid close contact with people. If you can't, wear a mask to protect others and to protect yourself.' Everyone must play our part for the circuit breaker to be effective," he stressed.

[The_King]

heng me is alone, so it not gatherings..

 

quote: to engage in any recreational activity in an open-air stadium, public path or public park alone or with any other individual who lives with you. .

 

mine  is a individual on  public path  for recreational activity. so mean i can go

 

 

[The_King]

8 hours ago, socrates469bc said:

that means kgk xdd @HarrisY cannot visit his atbgf until early may.

 

stay strong kgk xdd, we will all support u spiritually thru this difficult time.

I think too long nv pew pew. Sure at nite got wet dream

[Standing Birdy]

Dunno why they don't say lockdown

Maybe after everything over want to celebrate and propaganda that sinkieland is the only cuntry who made it without lockdown? We only use CCB

[Standing Birdy]

1 hour ago, The_King said:

I think too long nv pew pew. Sure at nite got wet dream