About 150 people were caught flouting safe distancing measures, while more than 50 did not wear a mask outside their homes yesterday.

Giving this update in a Facebook post last night, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli also encouraged Singaporeans to stay home.

Referring to those who were caught breaching the rules, he wrote: “I hope these people rea-lise that their actions are putting their families and their community at risk.”

He also noted that officers at the markets found thinner crowds yesterday, and people understood the objectives of the additional control measures.

“How long more the circuit breaker lasts will depend on each of us. If we stay at home as much as possible, we can help bring local transmission numbers down. Then, the multi-ministry task force can ease some of the measures earlier rather than later,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Government announced several enhanced measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including a month-long extension of the circuit breaker period to June 1.

Additional measures were also put in place at four popular wet markets: Geylang Serai Market, Chong Pang Market at Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road, and the markets at Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52.

Since yesterday, consumers heading out to buy groceries at these markets will be able to do so only on alternate days, depending on the last digit of their identity card or foreign identification card number (FIN).

If the last digit of a person’s NRIC or FIN is an odd number, he should visit the four markets only on odd dates of the month, such as today, which is April 23.

If the last digit of a person’s NRIC or FIN is an even number, he should visit the four markets only on even dates of the month, such as tomorrow, which is April 24.

Mr Masagos advised those planning to visit these markets to check if they can enter the next day, take along a photo identity card that shows their NRIC or FIN, and to go to these markets alone.

“The circuit breaker has been difficult for all of us. Let us work together to make it a success in the shortest time possible,” he added.

Read the latest on the Covid-19 situation in Singapore and beyond on our dedicated site here.

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