Hot take: COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 [link] have come into effect with lightning speed. Here are some key takeaways :-
(a) you can leave your home to assist a person with their daily needs, if the person (i) has a physical or mental disability; (ii) is below 12 years old; or (ii) is above 60 years old. This means you can drop off your young kids with their grandparents for childcare, or check in with your elderly parents or neighbours;
(b) you cannot meet anyone outside of your household for any social purpose. That’s right, you can’t go for a walk in the park with your girlfriend/boyfriend who you do not live with. But if your girlfriend/boyfriend is above 60 years old, you can go to their home to assist with their daily needs (fun loophole!) I will leave you to think about other loopholes;
(c) when you leave your home, you must stay at least 1 metre away from everyone else (except in lifts, vehicles, or in public transport facilities). This leads to a couple of interesting scenarios. If someone is blocking the main passageway at the supermarket, and I have to walk by the person within 1 metre, boom! Against the law! If I am holding my wife’s hand as we leave our home to pack lunch, and I do not push her away as we step out of our door, boom! Against the law! Although in this case I think I would rather brave the law than her wrath; and
(d) if you live in a condominium, all common facilities, including “recreation facilities”, must be closed. Does this include the poolside? I’m not sure, but I have recommended to the management committee that I sit on to sanitise and store all deckchairs, and to tape off all sitting areas.
Stay safe everyone, and stay on the right side of the law!
P.S. this is not legal advice, for general information only, views here are my own and not those of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, etc etc, you know the drill.
