MONTH-LONG LOCKDOWN IN SINGAPORE

SCHOOLS, MOST OFFICES TO BE CLOSED FROM APRIL 7: PM

SINGAPORE: Singapore will close schools and most workplaces, except for essential services like supermarkets and banks, for a month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday, as part of stricter measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

While the city has won international praise for its efforts to stem the spread of the virus, its infections have been rising sharply in recent weeks, to 1,114 on Friday, and five people have died, pointing towards the need for a tougher approach.

“We have decided that instead of tightening incrementally over the next few weeks, we should make a decisive move now, to preempt escalating infections,” Lee said in a speech, and promised more support for households and businesses.

The new measures will be in place from April 7 until May 4, while schools will move to full home-based learning from April 8. The measures could be extended beyond a month if the situation did not improve, authorities said.

The PM urged everyone to stay at home and to avoid socialising with others beyond their own household. “Go out only to do essential things,” he said.

He said the country had enough food supplies to last through this period and beyond.

The moves will help reduce the risk of a big outbreak occurring, and it should help to gradually bring numbers down, Lee said, which will allow the authorities to relax some of the measures.

The Southeast Asian nation has adopted some social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus, but had let schools, offices and restaurants remain open.

FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, MARKETPLACES AND SUPERMARKETS, CLINICS, HOSPITALS, UTILITIES, TRANSPORT AND KEY BANKING SERVICES WILL REMAIN OPEN.