Recent punitive action taken against Gemma Steakhouse at the National Gallery Singapore and Foot Locker's Orchard outlet for breaches of safe management measures should provide ample warning that companies and individuals should not behave as if the danger from the coronavirus pandemic has passed. If Singapore is to move into Phase 3 of its reopening safely and in a sustained way, every resident must play his or her part in making safety protocols work. Ignoring the rules endangers not only others but also the rule-breakers themselves, who could be exposed to health risks and contribute to delaying the return to a semblance of economic and social normalcy that everyone longs for.

Gemma Steakhouse was ordered to suspend operations for 20 days for having held a dinner for 75 guests and for not preventing them from mixing, a flagrant violation of Covid-19 safe management measures. A private members' club worked with the restaurant to organise a Halloween-themed dinner. It was attended by club members and their guests. Shoe retailer Foot Locker was ordered to suspend operations for 10 days at its Orchard Gateway @ Emerald outlet for having failed to comply with safe management measures. Large crowds had gathered at the outlet for a product launch in spite of repeated advisories by public enforcement agencies on crowd management.