Part 8/13:
As cases surged—particularly within dormitories and dense facilities—the Singapore government implemented strict movement restrictions modeled on a "circuit breaker" approach. Instead of a traditional lockdown, the circuit breaker aimed to pause transmission chains by halting non-essential activities, closing schools and workplaces, and limiting movement. This decision was contentious but deemed vital to prevent healthcare system collapse. Cabinet-level discussions were intense, weighing the economic and social costs against the imperative of saving lives.