View source for COVID-19: False case of safe-distancing fine for cycling

<blockquote>This entry is a part of Wiki.sg's coverage on the evolving COVID-19 situation in Singapore. For more COVID-19 stories, click [[:Category:COVID-19 in Singapore|here]]. For a list of COVID-19 fake news, click [[COVID-19:List of fake news in Singapore|here]].</blockquote>[[File:Safe Distancing Singapore.jpg|thumb|''As safe-distancing measures are ramped up islandwide, false cases of fines have also emerged. Photo credit to Kentaro Iwamoto/ [https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Lockdown-free-Singapore-has-social-distancing-down-to-a-science Nikkei Asian Review].'']]In April 2020, the Singapore government implemented stricter social distancing measures in light of the worsening COVID-19 situation.<ref>Lai, Linette and Yuen Sin. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-stringent-measures-imposed-as-new-virus-cases-reach-high-of-287 More stringent measures imposed as new coronavirus cases reach high of 287]”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 10, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref> At the start, enforcement officers would only give out written advisories to first-time offenders.<ref>Lee, Jeremy. “[https://mustsharenews.com/7000-safe-distancing-warnings/?fbclid=IwAR1IIm_PigEUMnognXV03inyo-SDODfzXuH1LGnp4q62ncQ3ITfJx7mXQWU 7,000 Safe Distancing Warnings Issued On 1st Day Of ‘Circuit Breaker’, 1st-Time Offenders May Get Jail & Fine]”. ''MustShare News.'' April 8, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref> As of 12 April 2020, individuals who are caught flouting the measures will be issued a $300 fine instead of a warning.<ref>Goh, Yan Han and Wong, Lester. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/300-fine-for-flouting-measures Coronavirus: $300 fine for flouting circuit breaker measures]”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 12, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref> ''The Straits Times'' reported that 200 fines have been issued on 14 April 2020.<ref>Ng, Michelle. "[https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/coronavirus-200-fines-issued-tuesday-to-those-flouting-safe-distancing-measures-300-fines Coronavirus: 200 fines issued on April 14 to safe distancing offenders]". ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2020. Accessed on 15 April 2020.</ref> In tandem with these implementations, false claims of safe-distancing fines have surfaced on social media.

==Origins of the rumours==
[[File:Cylcists Fined fake news.png|link=https://wiki.sg/p/File:Cylcists%20Fined%20fake%20news.png|thumb|''An image of the messages in question. Photo adapted from [https://mothership.sg/2020/04/family-fined-exercising-friends-same-car/ Mothership.sg].'']]
In early April 2020, a message containing the following two rumours had been circulated on Whatsapp. The individual behind the message alleged that their close relations have been fined for allegedly flouting the social-distancing measures. These rumours were also seen on Facebook groups. This entry covers the first rumoured case.

===Rumour 1: Family of three fined for cycling===
The first claim alleged that a family - consisting of the father and his two daughters - were fined for cycling together outdoors. The message implied that the family had broken the law as only two people from the same household were allowed to be together outdoors.<ref>Ong, Tanya. “[https://mothership.sg/2020/04/family-fined-exercising-friends-same-car/ Police responds to WhatsApp message that claims friends fined for being in same car]”. ''Mothership.'' April 13, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

===[[COVID-19: False case of safe-distancing fine at a roadblock (2020)|Rumour 2: A pair of friends fined at a roadblock]]===
The second claim alleged that a pair of friends who were in the same vehicle had been fined after a check at a police roadblock revealed that they lived in separate locations.<ref>FactChecker.sg. “[https://www.facebook.com/factchecker.sg/photos/a.2559608020778798/3733404226732499/?type=3&theater Everyone has been coming up with their various…]”. ''Facebook.'' April 13, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

==Rumour 1: Debunked by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR)==

===MEWR’s response===
As of 14 April, there are '''<u>no restrictions</u>''' on how many individuals from the same household are allowed in public. Hence, the claim that "a maximum of two persons" from the same household are allowed outside is false. The only regulation as stated on the official Gov.sg website is as such:
 (i) Any outdoor activity must be done with your immediate family members.<ref>“[https://www.gov.sg/article/what-you-can-and-cannot-do-during-the-circuit-breaker-period What you can and cannot do during the circuit breaker period]”. ''Gov.sg.'' April 11, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>
As of 14 April 2020, the official stance by MEWR is as such:
 (i) Exercising in nearby parks is permitted.<ref>“[https://www.mewr.gov.sg/safe-distancing Safe Distancing]”. ''Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.'' Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

 (ii) Individuals and family members are allowed to exercise by walking, jogging and cycling.<ref>“[https://www.mewr.gov.sg/news/update-on-enforcement-actions-and-refresher-on-what-to-do-and-not-to-do Update on Enforcement Actions and Refresher on What to Do and Not to Do]”. ''Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.'' April 13, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

===Singapore’s Cycling Federation’s safety guidelines===
Given this incident, the Singapore Cycling Federation also released a statement on their Facebook page. They reminded cyclists that all cycling outdoors must be done alone or with individuals living in the same household. The Federation also emphasised that it would be preferable not to cycle during this period.<ref>Singapore Cycling Federation. “[https://www.facebook.com/singaporecyclingfederation/photos/a.759560867484016/2684803628293054/?type=3&theater Note: The most important message not to be lost in…]”. ''Facebook.'' April 11, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

Referencing an academic paper by researchers from Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology and Belgium's KU Leuven,<ref>Lee, David. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/stay-away-from-others-cyclists-in-spore-urged Coronavirus: Stay away from others, cyclists in S'pore urged]”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 13, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref> the Federation issued the following safety guidelines:
 (i) Cyclists should observe at least a four-metre distance from each other because of the air currents generated, also known as a slipstream.<ref>Singapore Cycling Federation. “[https://www.facebook.com/singaporecyclingfederation/photos/a.759414434165326/2687166908056726/?type=3&theater Quote from ST: A white paper from the Netherlands' Eindhoven University of Technology…]”. ''Facebook.'' April 12, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

 (ii) That distance can be increased to 20 metres if the cyclist is travelling at high speeds.<ref>Lee, David. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/coronavirus-singapore-cycling-federation-recommends-20m-spacing-for-riders-from-separate Coronavirus: Singapore Cycling Federation recommends 20m spacing for riders from separate households]”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 12, 2020. Accessed on 14 April 2020.</ref>

==References/ Citations==
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[[Category:Fake News Incidents]]