How to keep dating exciting during the Covid-19 circuit breaker

On Friday, April 3, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced enhanced measures to deal with the Covid-19 situation in Singapore.

Besides the closure of several non-essential stores, emphasis on safe distancing was also placed with companies encouraged to allow employees to work from home.

Families living in different households are discouraged from meeting each other (unless it's to help an elderly family member with their daily needs) and people are told to put off catching up with friends.

With such stringent measures in place, you probably won't be able to meet bae for a month, unless you live together.

But even if you do cohabit, you might end up getting annoyed at each other-there are a lot of memes about cohabiting couples going into quarantine and driving each other crazy.

So how can couples continue to keep the romance alive while social distancing or living together?

We've got some tips for you here:

1. Text throughout the day

Some couples don’t text throughout the day because they see each other often. However, as times have changed, it’s important to keep in contact with your partner and make sure they’re aware of the things happening in your life.

If both of you are working from home, make it a point to text each other and catch up throughout the day. Share what you’re doing, whether it’s cooking a new dish or even small accomplishments you’ve had in the day, with each other.

2. Schedule a time to facetime or have a video call

Don’t have an iPhone to Facetime? Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram and even Instagram allow you to video call!

Since you’re unable to physically see each other, schedule times to video call each other and go on virtual dates. This helps you guys keep in touch and maintain a sense of normalcy where possible.

3. Send care packages or play dinner roulette

Want to make sure your partner’s eating right during this quarantine period? Send them a care package with healthy treats.

PandaMart, Grab’s Mart and many platforms provide delivery for daily necessities and snacks.

Looking after your partner while maintaining social distancing doesn’t have to be hard. Be sure to include healthy treats like low-sugar granola bars, fruits and vitamins.

Alternatively, you could play dinner roulette and order dinner for each other. We’re sure your other half will appreciate the gesture.

If you live together, plan what you’re going to order for dinner.

Working from home can sometimes mean that people work overtime to compensate for distractions around the house and might not always set boundaries.

Make it easier on your partner by choosing what and where to order from.

They’ll love you for it.

You could also create a care package of your own and use courier services like Lala Move and Grab to send your package across the island.

4. Watch movies together

Apps and extensions like Netflix Party, Gaze and so much more let you watch movies, shows and even YouTube videos with your friends and partner remotely.

With Netflix Party, you’ll get to share comments and engage with your friends through a chat as well.

Don’t want to go through the hassle of having to download apps or add extensions to your browser?

Video call each other and just watch together or watch a film at the same time and discuss it afterwards.

Couples that live together can make a list of movies or TV shows they want to watch and finally make time to watch it together.

5. Play games together

Got a Playstation 4 or the Nintendo Switch? Game together!

If you’re safe distancing, you could always create a party to play together on the Playstation 4. There are also loads of co-op games on the Nintendo Switch.

Games like Overcooked could be really exciting for couples and build your co-working skills!

Don’t have a fancy console? Plenty of games on iOS and Android let you play with your other half so you have no excuse!

6. Host game nights with your friends

Apps like Houseparty let you play guessing games, drawing games and so much more with your friends. You can add multiple players in a video call and it’s heaps of fun.

You could also host a virtual game night using Zoom.

Here’s a how-to guide for you when you’re hosting game night with friends.

Just don’t forget the popcorn!

7. Work out together

So many boutique gyms in Singapore like Boom, WeBarre and BeatX are doing Instagram Live workouts and apps like Nike Training Club and Aaptiv offer free workout plans that you can do at home.

Some of these workouts will require basic equipment like a kettlebell, a yoga mat or a fitness ball but most don’t and can always be modified.

Couples that live together can also head out for a run and get groceries along the way.

Keeping fit during this quarantine period doesn’t have to be difficult but make sure you encourage each other to work out this month.

8. Go shopping together and pick up something nice for each other

Non-essential shops might be closed but most stores with an e-commerce presence are still operating and are delivering.

Stores like Zara, Sephora and many more still operate online so you can still shop for clothes and beauty products for your partner.

The next time you’re tempted to get something online, consult with your partner and let them be part of the shopping process. While you’re at it, get them something nice as well!

9. Cook together

If you live together, now’s the perfect time to try out new recipes and brush up on your cooking skills.

With most grocery stores and food shops open, you could make it a point to cook something healthy and meal prep for the week ahead.

After this quarantine period is over, you’ll emerge with more confidence in the kitchen and you’ll be feeding yourself healthier in the future as well.

10. Start on a project together

If you’re quarantined separately, perhaps starting on a crafting project can be a fun thing to do with your partner.

There are plenty of easy and romantic crafting projects you can start on that will be super fun and we’re sure your partner’s going to love receiving after the quarantine period is over.

11. Write letters to each other but don’t inform each other

There’s nothing like receiving sweet and earnest letters from your other half and this circuit breaker season is the best time to write to bae to express how much you miss them and wish they were with you!

Write your partner a letter sharing with them all the things you’ve been up and more, just because.

It’ll make their day.

To make things exciting, don’t tell them you’re writing them something and watch them burst with excitement when they receive it.

12. Go on virtual museum dates

With travel ban and restrictions in place, you probably have had to cancel some trips.

However, museums like the Louvre in Paris, the Vatican Museum in Italy and the British Museum in London are “open” for virtual tours so you can get an in-depth look into parts of the museums that people can’t even see in real life!

It might not make up for actually being there to see artworks and exhibitions in person but really, it’s pretty cool to see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel so up close.

We were skeptical at first but this it’s actually pretty cool and so much fun. The British Museum one above even has voice explanations that share the history of each artwork.

There are also plenty of videos on YouTube that show what the inside of some museums look like and offer a gorgeous work through, such as this one.

From Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber to Ellie Goulding and even Shay Mitchell, a lot of celebrities are already on Tik Tok and doing various dance challenges.

If you’re not living together, you can always take on different challenges separately and see who does a better job.

It can be really fun and it might just bring out the competitive side of a lot of couples.

Just don’t do anything stupid, like licking the toilet bowl.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.