Corona and Democracy - Singapore

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy

31 January:

• Singapore bans entry and transit to all visitors with a  recent history of travel to China, and suspending visas for Chinese passport holders

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-coronavirus-singapore-bans-entry-transit-to-people-with-recent-china-travel-history-2172874

20 March:

• Singapore launches TraceTogether, a Bluetooth-activated app that logs close encounters for 21 days, to track the possible spread of the coronavirus
• Mandatory 14-day-self-isolation period for everyone entering the country

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Singapore-urges-citizens-to-sign-up-for-COVID-19-tracking-app

7 April:

• Circuit Breaker Measures are introduced.
• Social distancing measures are recommended and monitored. Individuals breaching these measures will be fined or prosecuted in court.
• Wearing masks when leaving the house is mandatory (except while engaging in strenuous exercise outdoors)
• Only essential workplaces, as well as providers to the supply chain may remain open and allow employees to come to the workplace while respecting social distancing measures (others/if breached will be fined)

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/continued-stringent-implementation-enforcement-of-circuit-breaker-measures

7 May:

• All Short term visitors are banned from transiting or entering Singapore 
• Singapore residents and pass-holders will be quarantined or asked to self-isolate for 14 days

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/coronavirus-travel-restrictions-border-shutdowns-country-200318091505922.html

12 May:

• Circuit Breaker Measures are eased and most business are allowed to reopen, granted social distancing measures are honored and maintained

https://www.gov.sg/article/easing-circuit-breaker-measures-how-are-we-cautiously-lifting-restrictions

19 May:

• Singapore will exit its Circuit Breaker measures on June 1 and initiate a three-phased approach to open up

https://www.gov.sg/article/ending-circuit-breaker-phased-approach-to-resuming-activities-safely

2 June:

• Singapore reopens businesses and schools

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/01/singapore-to-reopen-80percent-of-economy-as-coronavirus-restrictions-lift-minister.html

https://www.gov.sg/article/ending-circuit-breaker-phased-approach-to-resuming-activities-safely

18 June:

• Sports and recreation Facilities in Condominiums will reopen

https://www1.bca.gov.sg/docs/default-source/bca-restart/advisory-reopening-sports-recreational-facilities-condominiums.pdf

28 June:

• Gradual reopening of tourism establishments will begin

https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/media-centre/media-releases/gradual-reopeningoftourismestablishments.html

3 July:

• Cinemas are allowed to reopen as of July 13

https://www.imda.gov.sg/-/media/Imda/Files/News-and-Events/Media-Room/Advisories-on-COVID-19-Situation/Mandatory-SMM-for-Cinemas.pdf

30 July:

• Restrictions realting to weddings and funerals have been eased

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/easing-restrictions-on-key-life-events

7 August:

• Incerased limit for worship services

https://www.mccy.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-resources/press-statements/2020/aug/pilot-increased-limit-for-worship-services

4 May:

• Citizens of Singapore will not be allowed to vote online or by post, instead, they have to either fill out the ballot at home and take it to a polling station for drop off or give another individual authority to bring their ballot to a voting station
• Aspiring candidates will also not be able to file nomination papers online or by post

23 June:

• Singapore will hold general elections on July 10, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They will suspend rallies and increase candidates' access to broadcast media.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3090241/singapore-heads-general-election-pap-seeks-mandate-amidst

• Press release

21 April:

• Thousands of migrant workers were moved out of regular accommodations, in an effort to socially distance them, yet neither regular nor alternative dormitories are built to cater for a pandemic. As such healthcare-standards are infringed upon

11 May:

• Dire healthcare-standards for migrant workers persist

24 July:

• Enhanced surveillance and enforcement efforts to combat COVID-19 will commence

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/21/singapore-coronavirus-outbreak-surges-with-3000-new-cases-in-three-days\
• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/coronavirus-covid-19-foreign-workers-big-read-dormitories-12718880
• https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/enhancing-surveillance-and-enforcement-efforts-to-keep-covid-19-at-bay

20 March:

• Though TraceTogether (powered by BlueTrace) "is designed around privacy" and features a number of data security measures, health authorities still have access to private data, especially of infected people

• https://bluetrace.io/
• Press Release

4 May:

• The Singaporean Prime Minister Lee will decide when to call the general election (previously set for 14 April 2021)

• Press release