SINGAPORE — Even as Singaporeans look forward to the Chinese New Year festivities this year, they should exercise restraint to avoid the risk of having to go back into another circuit breaker, which could be needed if a few dozen clusters break out, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (Jan 27).

For instance, individuals should refrain from making multiple visits in big groups, as doing so would increase the danger of super spreader events occurring, he said.

And while tossing yusheng, a traditional raw fish salad served at Chinese New Year meals, he said Singaporeans should use mobile applications with the pre-recorded auspicious sayings, instead of shouting them out themselves, which is typically the norm.

“I hope everybody will understand that this is not a normal Year of the Ox. We do have to take precautions, we have to restrain ourselves,” said Mr Lee to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic, which kicked off its vaccination exercise for seniors aged 70 and above on Wednesday.

“Celebrate it in the right spirit, but keep ourselves safe so that perhaps a year from now, when the Year of the Tiger comes around, we will be roaring like a tiger.”

Mr Lee’s remarks come after the multi-ministry task force that oversees Singapore’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic last Friday announced tighter safe management restrictions ahead of the festive season.

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Among other things, a daily cap of eight visitors for each household was imposed from Tuesday. Individuals are also encouraged to limit themselves to visiting only two other households a day.

Diners must wear a mask during the tossing of yusheng, also known as “lo hei”. This should also be done without any verbalisation of the usual auspicious phrases.

The authorities will step up enforcement checks at food and beverage establishments, malls and other crowded public spaces during this period. 

Strict enforcement actions will be taken against individuals and operators who do not comply with the safe management rules.

On his part, Mr Lee said he will celebrate Chinese New Year with only eight guests at his home. 

He will also be visiting Changi Airport and one of the hospitals here to greet the frontline workers there on the first day of the celebrations.

Mr Lee said he will be receiving his second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Friday. He told reporters in Mandarin that he did not experience any discomfort after taking his first shot on Jan 8, nor did he suffer from a fever or a cold.

And though he experienced some soreness on his arm, it went away after two days.

“So I was lucky, but I think most people will have the same experience as me,” Mr Lee said.

“I hope (the second shot) is the same as the first one. I don’t think there will be adverse reactions. There is no reason to worry.”