In January and February, people
still took it as something that should not be as severe as SARS. Then, the
virus, which would be known as Covid-19, started spreading worldwide. People
simply stopped moving, disrupting their everyday lives and business activities.
And of course, affecting my own business so severely.
Late last month, all night-life
establishments, such as bars, clubs and karaoke lounges, were ordered to close
until the end of April. Like all other places where people gather, I found a
1-meter-distance order was enforced at the Thomson Plaza supermarket.
Last Wednesday, I went to the
SingPost branch in Bishan just to buy stamps for two letters to Japan. The number
of people allowed inside at one time was restricted to three.
And today (April 3), the prime
minister of this country announced that this close-down order would be extended
to all workplaces, except those considered essential to people’s lives, like
banks and restaurants. All other workplaces will be closed down on Tuesday next
week, April 7, for a month. As I believe, restaurants will be allowed to serve
only their “take-away” customers.
And at another supermarket tonight,
I found a long line of people who queued up to enter it with a 1-meter distance,
before and behind, and anther long line with the same distance to the cashiers
to pay.
