Containing the contagion: Hold out for a decisive curb on the virus

AS Singapore moves into the second month of the circuit breaker period next week, all eyes remain on the daily new infection figures, as businesses and individuals alike hope that restrictions can eventually be lifted as planned - or even eased earlier, in part.

When measures were tightened on April 21 with the suspension of less-critical consumer services, it was for an initial period through till May 4, even as the circuit breaker as a whole was extended to June 1.

If and when community transmission numbers are brought down sufficiently, it may be possible to relax some restrictions, National Development Minister and co-chair of the Covid-19 multi-ministry taskforce, Lawrence Wong, said earlier this week.