SINGAPORE — With Singaporeans still flouting safe-distancing rules by exercising in groups, the authorities will close stadiums, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong told a press conference on Thursday (April 9).

He also warned that overall “circuit breaker” measures may have to be tightened further, so that the month-long closure of non-essential workplaces that began on Tuesday can “truly be effective, and all the efforts and sacrifices can really pay off”.

Mr Wong, who co-chairs a government taskforce tackling the coronavirus, said the Government had previously kept stadiums open with the belief that people could exercise “without bunching”.

“But we still see people exercising in groups. So we have decided henceforth to close stadiums altogether,” he said. 

In a statement, government agency Sport Singapore said it would close all its 15 ActiveSG stadiums — including the Bedok, Bishan and Jurong West stadiums — from Friday until further notice. 

On Thursday, Singapore recorded 287 new Covid-19 infections, the biggest single-day surge, taking the total to 1,910. 

Mr Wong stressed that people may continue to exercise by themselves or with their family in their neighbourhood, but urged the public not to venture beyond their neighbourhood — such as by driving to a park some distance away — and to minimise travel. 

“Do not exercise, jog or cycle in groups. Any such activities would be an offence,” he said. 

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Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, the other taskforce co-chair, said: “Instead of asking whether I can go to a park far away, we should ask whether we need to do that.” 

Mr Wong said that the Government “cannot close a park”, but may limit access where feasible. “If the numbers build up, then we will stop people from entering the park altogether.”

Still, Mr Wong acknowledged that the stricter movement restrictions have had a “visible difference” and many people have complied with the Government’s move. 

But he cautioned that the authorities would enforce the rules very strictly because some people were still breaching them. There are 2,500 enforcement officers. 

“Enforcement agencies are going all out to enforce these rules seriously,” Mr Wong said. 

He added: “Let us not have more clusters emerge outside in our community as well… All of us need to do our part.” 

Asked how the authorities would tighten the rules, Mr Wong said that the Government could look at closing more premises and restricting the movement of people further.  

Wet markets are a hot spot, he noted, and the authorities have been controlling entries and exits. “More drastic” measures may be needed if the situation becomes unsustainable, he said.