Yesterday, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was clearly disappointed that weeks of putting simple messages across had not brought about the change in behaviour this deadly outbreak demands.

Two cases of irresponsible social behaviour by Singaporeans suspected of having Sars - in one instance by a family of eight - and a spate of breaches by individuals ordered to stay at home, prompted him to take unusual action.

He wrote an open letter to everyone living here, reminding people to take personal responsibility in the war on Sars - and warning errant quarantine breakers that tough new measures, with fines and jail terms, will be in place by Friday.

The measures 'may be harsh' but necessary.

'Taking a lenient attitude will not help us break the cycle of infection. Instead, it may undermine the stringent infection controls we have painstakingly put in place to protect Singaporeans from Sars,' he said in the letter released yesterday.

He has already met the media twice to put across his views on Sars and how best to deal with it.

He was also interviewed on the BBC World Service yesterday, where he explained the string of rules, procedures and recommendations Singapore has put in place to contain Sars.

But his open letter said that the message needs reinforcing among a section of errant Singaporeans - through measures that leave them in no doubt as to the degree of the Government's displeasure with their behaviour.

'For the wider good, we now have to take a tougher approach in enforcing Home Quarantine Orders. We simply cannot afford to have those on home quarantine breach it, and run the risk of going undetected for Sars, or worse, infecting others,' he said.

'For once Sars spreads through the community, we risk losing control of it, and will not be able to isolate and contain it.'

He announced that those under home quarantine who do not cooperate by answering telephone calls from officials checking on them will be immediately tagged electronically - whether or not they have broken the quarantine.

Parliament, at its sitting tomorrow, will push through amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act - in double quick time - to allow the authorities to fine anyone who has breached home quarantine orders without having to charge him in court.

Jail terms also await those who defy the quarantine order repeatedly.

These changes will be speeded through Parliament using a special provision of the Constitution which allows for a piece of urgent legislation to be passed in one sitting, instead of the usual two.

What appears to have contributed to the Government's get-tough approach are the instances cited by Mr Goh of individuals who put themselves, the people around them and the wider community at risk of being infected by Sars:

• The family of a Sars-hit worker at the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre who wandered off to a food centre and Chinese medicine hall after being told to stay put by a doctor who had already called for the special ambulance service to take them to hospital.

• Another man from the wholesale centre who had a fever, but hopped from place to place, going to a doctor, a polyclinic, two sinsehs and then Changi General Hospital.

• At least 14 people who have broken their home quarantine orders.

Mr Goh said it was unfortunate that there still were some Singaporeans who ignored the advice of health officials: 'Some are irresponsible. Others are irrational because of their fear of Sars. Whatever the reasons, they pose a danger to themselves and to the wider community.'

In his letter, he also urged those who are unwell to see a doctor - sticking to one doctor or hospital; to tell the truth about their symptoms and contact history; and to follow the doctor's instructions.

Early detection and treatment will aid recovery, and some 110 Sars patients have been discharged, he noted.

And he gave the assurance that there is no reason to fear going to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Stringent measures put in place since March 31 have ensured that no patient there has come down with Sars as a result of being infected in the hospital.

His parting shot: To succeed in containing Sars here, everyone must cooperate and play his part.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.