Part 2/12:

As the virus first struck Singapore, many artists recount feelings of fear and confusion. Dr. Samuel Wong, a music artist and creative director, recalls the early days marking the first confirmed case and the subsequent tightening of restrictions. Singapore announced a circuit breaker—essentially a lockdown—mandating the closure of entertainment venues and imposing stay-home notices for returning citizens.

This period was characterized by chaos and a sense of unpredictability. For some, like Dr. Wong, it was a scramble to return to Singapore from abroad, narrowly securing last-minute flights just before international travel halted entirely. Performers in the theater and music industries faced the abrupt stop of their projects, with scheduled performances canceled or postponed indefinitely.