When the number of Covid-19 infections in Singapore started skyrocketing, citizens were asked to band together to combat the outbreak.
Some people, unfortunately, have taken this too literally.
People in Car Pooling Groups Are Still Active Despite Circuit Breaker Rules
On Sunday (5 Apr), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) confirmed in a Facebook post that carpool services are not considered essential, after getting confirmation from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Grab and Ryde swiftly suspended such services after the confirmation, but not everyone is as considerate (or law-abiding).
Some Telegram groups offering carpool services are still active, with drivers and passengers still looking for rides even during the circuit breaker period.
As you know, all schools and workplaces have been closed for a month, and people have been urged not to leave their homes unless it’s for an essential trip.
But not only are some people still going out, they’re still openly looking for carpool services on Telegram.
One group, SG Hitch, came under fire after some people discovered that passengers and drivers were still looking for rides.
As one netizen said, it’s not only illegal, but very difficult to trace if one of the commuters were to contract the coronavirus.
“The government has already announced that carpooling services are not an essential business but people are still doing it illegally.
“Imagine if a passenger has the virus. They will be spreading it around, to the driver and the driver’s family, and vice versa. It will be extremely difficult to trace back.
“This concerns the safety of the whole nation.”
One man who spoked to Stomp, Mat, said he had been banned from the group after he tried to speak up against them.
Damn, I didn’t know fascist Telegram groups existed.
The group, which had over 56,000 members, is now no longer visible on Telegram, meaning they either deleted the group (unlikely) or made it private (more likely).
Other carpool groups
Thankfully, two other SG Hitch groups have made announcements on their group chat urging passengers not to arrange carpool rides.
However, four other SG Hitch groups are still active, even though they’ve had no requests since 6 April.
But one other group, SG longterm hitch/carpool, still had requests on 8 and 9 April, days 2 and 3 of the circuit breaker period.
And many also joined the group on these days.
Even if these people were working in essential services, they should know that carpool services are not allowed as there is a higher risk of spread.
Yes, most Singaporeans are taking the circuit breaker period seriously, but if a minority end up spreading the disease anyway because they were too stubborn to follow instructions, then what’s the point?
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This will only work if we all follow the instructions of the authorities.
Reader: But taxis are expensive
But is it worth contracting Covid-19?
Reader: I think so, treatment is free mah
Why do I keep asking you these questions?
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Reader: Only you know, dear writer