Then and now: The difference a year makes as S'pore cautiously reopens post-circuit breaker

On April 7, 2020, Singapore entered a lockdown to battle the pandemic. This lasted almost two months. Since then, the nation has opened up cautiously. The Straits Times photojournalists document the changes.

Apr 7, 2021, 5:00 am SGT
Apr 8, 2021, 11:47 am
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The first day of circuit breaker in VivoCity on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


VivoCity one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The first day of circuit breaker at Marina Boulevard on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


Marina Boulevard one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The first day of circuit breaker along Orchard Road on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY


Orchard Road one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY


The first day of circuit breaker in Little India on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE


Little India one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE


The first day of circuit breaker along Orchard Road on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY


Orchard Road one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY


The first day of circuit breaker at the ArtScience Museum and Marina Bay Sands on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The ArtScience Museum and Marina Bay Sands one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The first day of circuit breaker at Bayfront Avenue on April 7, 2020. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


Bayfront Avenue one year after the circuit breaker on April 7, 2021. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The Merlion spouts water at the deserted Merlion Park around noon on May 6, 2020. Usually a tourist favourite, the park has seen few visitors since the pandemic slowed inbound flights to a trickle. PHOTO: ST FILE


The Merlion Park with some visitors on March 13, 2021. With borders still largely closed, many local residents have taken to exploring places of interest frequented by tourists. ST PHOTO: BENJAMIN SEETOR


Toa Payoh Swimming Complex: There was nary a ripple in the deserted pools at Toa Payoh Swimming Complex on the morning of May 5, 2020, as sports and recreation facilities were off limits during the circuit breaker. PHOTO: ST FILE


Swimmers have returned in this photo taken on Jan 23, 2021. ActiveSG pools have been open to the public since phase two last June. ST PHOTO: BENJAMIN SEETOR


Raffles Place Park: An empty Raffles Place Park just before lunchtime on May 6, 2020. PHOTO: ST FILE


The lunch crowd at Raffles Place on March 18, 2021. Work-from-home arrangements implemented during the circuit breaker continued even into phase three. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG


Toa Payoh Stadium: The empty stadium on May 5, 2020. ST PHOTO: BENJAMIN SEETOR


Seniors practise qigong at Toa Payoh Stadium on Jan 23, 2021. With the easing of curbs, fitness classes and group programmes have resumed. ST PHOTO: BENJAMIN SEETOR

A year since circuit breaker–how far we've come, how much further we'll have to go | THE BIG STORY