SINGAPORE - As the country enters the final two weeks of the circuit breaker period that is slated to end on June 1, some measures will be gradually eased, with safety measures put in place to continue reducing the spread of Covid-19 here.
But they could be amended further if the health situation changes, such as if community cases of the coronavirus rise.
Here is how some changes are being made to safe distancing measures from June 2 announced by the Government on Tuesday (May 19).
1. Home and community socialising
- Social, economic and entertainment activities that carry higher risks will remain closed. People should continue to leave home only for essential activities, and should wear a mask when doing so.
- Senior citizens should continue to stay at home as much as possible.
- The current measures limiting senior citizen services and senior-centric activities will remain. But senior activity centres will gradually resume some activities in a safe and controlled manner.
- Community based centre services for people with disabilities will gradually re-open, with safe distancing measures in place and activities held in smaller groups.
- Each household will be allowed to visit their parents or grandparents staying elsewhere. Each receiving household should limit visits to one per day, and to not more than two visitors, who must be from the same household.
Other medical procedures and services that can resume include:
- Surgical operations for advanced cataracts
- Joint surgery for patients with severe impairment
- Cancer screening and surveillance services
- Ongoing dental procedures but with measures to cut down creation of aerosols
- Diabetic foot screening
- Flu vaccination
- Complementary healthcare services for one-to-one sessions, but by appointment
- Traditional Chinese medicine needle acupuncture for all conditions
<p>ST20200505_202019177439/Wang Hui Fen/pixcovid06</p>
<p>Physician Li Huarong, who owns Yu Sheng Tang TCM Clinic, said that she received advance bookings for acupuncture treatments after the announcement was made on Saturday, May 2, 2020.</p>
<p>“Many of my customers complained that they had endured body aches for close to a month now, so they are glad to be able to resume treatment,” she said.<br/>Her first patient of the day was oil and gas technician Yeo Cheow Juan, 60, who has been receiving regular TCM treatment for around two years for lower back and knee pain.</p>
<p>“I’ve been trying to bear the pain for the past month, so I’m glad to be able to resume my regular acupuncture treatments again,” he said.</p>
<p>As Singapore gradually eases its “circuit breaker” measures, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners are among the first to have restrictions lifted. TCM acupuncture will be allowed from May 5 for pain management where deemed essential by practitioners, while registered TCM practitioners will be able to sell retail products to meet the needs of Singaporeans.</p>
<p>Pix taken on May 5, 2020.</p>
PHOTO: ST
5. National service
- About 6,300 Singapore Armed Forces recruits will be notified of their reporting dates for basic military training, which will start from May 26 to the middle of June.
- For about 1,700 police and Singapore Civil Defence Force trainees, their reporting dates will be between May 26 to June 8.
- Health and safety measures will be put in place, including staggered reporting dates which will allow safe distancing measures to be implemented, as well as health screening for all trainees and instructors when they return for training.
- Those who have symptoms of respiratory infection will be immediately separated from the rest and tested for Covid-19.
