SINGAPORE — From Sunday (April 12), anyone who is not abiding by the "circuit breaker" measures will be fined S$300 for their first offence, instead of being issued with a warning, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, Mr Masagos said that the move comes as there are still too many people not taking the circuit breaker measures seriously, as enforcement officers issued more than 3,000 written stern warnings and more fines on Saturday.

“Stiffer penalties are clearly needed,” he said.

During the ‘circuit breaker’ period, everyone is to stay at home at all times except for essential needs such as buying food or seeing a doctor.

And when outside, individuals have to maintain a safe distance from each other.

Since the circuit breaker began on April 7, enforcement officers have been issuing written warnings to those found in breach of these rules and only repeat offenders are fined.

But from Sunday, officers will no longer do so, Mr Masagos said.

Any offender encountered by the enforcement officers will be asked for particulars immediately and will face a S$300 fine for a first offence, while repeat offenders will face higher fines or prosecution in court for egregious cases.

In a statement, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) said that more than 3,100 enforcement officers and safe distancing ambassadors were deployed on Saturday.

"While there were reduced crowds in parks and markets, we continue to observe too many people gathering and loitering in public places, especially in town and neighbourhood centres," it said. "More than 3,000 stern warnings and 50 fines were issued to members of public for non-compliance with elevated safe distancing measures today."

In total, more than 6,200 stern warnings and 90 fines have been issued since April 7, MEWR added.

Police assistance was required for about 20 cases, where members of public were not cooperative when asked to comply with the safe distancing measures. In addition, two men are being investigated for offences under the Liquor Control Act and Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 for drinking at the void deck of a flat along Marsiling Road at about 1.20am, the ministry said.

Mr Masagos said in his Facebook post: “The health and safety of Singaporeans are at risk. It is therefore our top priority and collective responsibility. I have been receiving a lot of feedback on the circuit breaker measures. Many of you shared photos and videos of people (both young and old) who are still not staying at home, or not complying with the elevated safe distancing measures.” 

Mr Masagos urged the public not to send photos that they did not take themselves as some of these cause enforcement officers to waste time pursuing past events.

To further safeguard public health, he added that the Government has made it mandatory for all food handlers and wet market stallholders to wear masks from Monday, and all visitors to wet markets will need to wear masks from Sunday. 

Those who do not will not be allowed to enter the 39 markets managed by the National Environment Agency or NEA-appointed operators.

“Many of us are working hard to protect Singaporeans, including healthcare workers, cleaners, those in essential services, and our public service officers too,” Mr Masagos said.