Throwback to Covid-19 Restriction Measures

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13 February 2023 was like a breath of fresh air (literally), as Singaporeans no longer have to wear masks in public transport. As we move towards the lowest level of Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) Green, let us not forget the past restriction measures that some fear might still return anytime.

Singapore has implemented a series of COVID-19 restriction measures since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. These measures have evolved over time, reflecting changes in the local COVID-19 situation and global developments.

In this article, Singaplex does a throwback of Singapore's COVID-19 restriction measures from 2020 to now, and how they have impacted the country.

Phase One: Circuit Breaker (April 7, 2020, to June 1, 2020)

In April 2020, Singapore implemented a nationwide circuit breaker to curb the spread of COVID-19. This included the closure of all non-essential businesses and services, including schools, restaurants, and retail shops. Residents were also required to work from home and avoid social gatherings. These measures were effective, and Singapore managed to bring the number of daily COVID-19 cases under control.

Phase Two: Safe Reopening (June 19, 2020, to December 27, 2020)

Singapore began to gradually lift the restrictions in Phase Two, allowing some businesses to reopen. Restaurants, cafes, and retail shops were allowed to reopen, with capacity limits in place. However, social gatherings were limited to a maximum of five people, and residents were still required to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Phase Three: Heightened Alert (May 16, 2021, to June 13, 2021)

In May 2021, Singapore introduced Phase Three Heightened Alert in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases. This included a ban on dining-in at restaurants, limiting social gatherings to two people, and working from home becoming the default. Schools were also closed for a period, and all large-scale events were cancelled. These measures helped to bring the situation under control, and Singapore managed to avoid a significant outbreak.

Phase Three: Reopening (June 14, 2021, to Present)

Singapore entered Phase Three Reopening in June 2021, with dining-in at restaurants and social gatherings of up to five people allowed. Retail shops, gyms, and other businesses were allowed to reopen, with capacity limits in place. However, restrictions on large-scale events and public gatherings remain in place, with strict measures such as pre-event testing, safe distancing, and contact tracing being implemented.

In October 2021, Singapore lifted most of the restrictions on large events and allowed events of up to 5,000 attendees to take place without PET. However, PET is still required for certain types of events, such as those that involve singing or high-intensity activities. For events with more than 5,000 attendees, PET is still mandatory, and additional measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and ventilation requirements are also in place.

In April 2022, night clubs like Zouk were allowed to reopen with PET done. Shortly after in June, party goers no longer needed to produce a negative ART. Singapore has slowly started recovering since then, with Singaporeans no longer needing to wear masks except on public transport since October 2022. Currently as of February 2023, we are transitioning to the lowest Dorscon level where mask wearing is no longer mandatory even on public transport.

Conclusion

Singapore's COVID-19 restriction measures have been effective in keeping the number of cases under control. The circuit breaker and Heightened Alert periods were challenging, but they were necessary to prevent the virus from spreading. Singapore's response to the pandemic has been commendable, with a robust healthcare system and a proactive approach to tackling the virus.

As the situation remains uncertain, Singaporeans continue to stay vigilant and some are still wearing masks despite the relaxation of restrictions. Will we continue to live in the shadow of covid for the years to come?

VICTORIA NG | Contributing Writer

Victoria, a.k.a Vicky is a creative freelancer who hails from Singapore, she loves to ‘vibe’ on the internet and pretty much prefers cats over humans. She has a fondness for things that carry an air of nostalgia and enjoys cafe hopping on weekends. Her current struggle is trying to spend less time on Tiktok, she can hear the “ting ting ting dang ting” song in her ears. She hopes to own a corgi someday.