Singapore to extend circuit breaker by 4 weeks to June 1: PM Lee

SINGAPORE'S circuit breaker will be extended by another four weeks to June 1, with tighter measures to be in place from now until May 4, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a 'live' address to the nation on Tuesday.

The government will continue to help businesses and workers cope during this extended circuit breaker period, with "the same level of support" being provided as what is being given currently, said Mr Lee.

His address came just hours after the Ministry of Health announced 1,111 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore, taking the total to 9,125. The vast majority of the cases are foreign workers living in dormitories.

The government is shutting more workplaces, so that only the most essential services will remain open. This, said Mr Lee, will further reduce the number of workers keeping essential services going, and minimise the risks of transmission among the workers.

Hotspots like wet markets are "still a problem" with large groups of people gathering and making safe distancing hard to practice. As such, these places will impose entry restrictions to thin out crowds even more.

Mr Lee also said people should only go out for essential needs such as buying food or groceries, and should otherwise stay at home. Those who do have to head out should do so alone, and not as a group or with family. Those who leave the house to exercise should also do so alone, and only in one's neighbourhood.

At the end of the extended circuit breaker on June 1, much will depend on whether the community numbers have come down before the government can make further adjustments and consider easing some measures, said Mr Lee.

"Many will be disappointed by the extension of the circuit breaker, especially our business and workers who are hurting greatly. But I hope you understand that this short-term pain is to stamp out the virus, protect the health and safety of our loved ones, and allow us to revive our economy," said the prime minister.