[ad_1]
Singaporeans can expect to move to the reopening of phase three in a calibrated and cautious manner, in the same way that restrictions are eased on the different stages of the current phase two, experts told The Straits Times.
But they see the blurred boundaries between the two phases as a good approach.
Associate Professor Josip Car, director of the Center for Population Health Sciences at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University, said that this lack of a clear difference shows effective policymaking in action, already that changes are more likely to be accepted when they are introduced incrementally and gradually, helping the public to understand the measures and remain calm.
Planning for a pandemic response goes beyond a simple “headline name,” said Professor Car.
“A lot of effort has been made to detail the type of measures implemented between phases, but more importantly, it is also about broader strategies to achieve the best results.”
The reopening of the second phase of Singapore’s economy came into effect on June 19, which, among other things, allows the resumption of most commercial and social activities, with the safeguards in place.
WHAT PHASE THREE COULD BE
With restrictions easing further in recent weeks, such as the doubling of the number of people at weddings and the lifting of border restrictions for visitors to Australia, excluding the state of Victoria, and Vietnam, many have wondered if Singapore has unofficially entered phase three.
However, associate professor Alex Cook, vice dean for research at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore (NUS), cautioned that it would be “foolish” to name each of these incremental changes, stating that Singaporeans can’t wait to get back to normal completely until mass vaccination begins.
“Instead, we call the big general phases one, two and three, as signs that we have reached the main stopping points in our journey. Careful relaxation is necessary, as countries that have rushed to reopen are entering second waves, and localized blockades begin, in the case of Spain and Great Britain, or complete national blockades, like Israel, “he said.
To temper public expectations, Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said that one should not anticipate a significant relaxation of measures in phase three, and expect the whole set to return. of activities that were previously prohibited.
Rather, phase three is a state in which Singapore will remain with a certain degree of precautions to allow the development of economic and social activities.
“We always have to consider the impact of a possible superspreader event, and whether the permitted activities will substantially amplify this spread. This is the lens I hope we will use to determine the steady state of Singapore,” Professor Teo warned.
But he remains optimistic about travel, and is in favor of resuming unrestricted travel, especially to places where the Covid-19 situation is very similar to or better than Singapore.
“Non-exhaustive examples include New Zealand, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand. Of course, this list cannot be static and should be periodically reviewed and updated,” he said.
With much still unknown about the coronavirus, phase three would also depend on the extent of scientific and medical breakthroughs, when the time comes for a further reopening.
Professor Car explained: “As more companies adapt and create new ways of operating, workers adapt to new ways of working, research intensifies and new technologies evolve to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat disease. .. then we will know what our new normal appearance, or phase three, would be “.
He called on society to be resilient and agile, to be able to transform and adapt, based on the threats, therapies and knowledge available at that time, citing as an example the relaxation of young children with masks last month after a better understanding. of the virus.
Professor Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia-Pacific Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said policy decisions guiding the nature of phase three must take into account science and medicine, and the bigger picture.
“There has to be a balance between the risks to health and social isolation versus the benefits of preventing the transmission of infection. Personally, I think many people would like to see larger family gatherings allowed, and the risks could be mitigated with an effective contact tracing, “said Professor Tambyah.
As part of the latest round of easing pandemic restrictions, live music will resume during worship services, which Professor Tambyah said would also help test the system.
“If they go well, then maybe it can be expanded to concerts and theater. Movie theaters and worship services have been opened to progressively larger crowds with no reported problems, so hopefully the same will be true. extend to concerts, theaters and sporting events. “
RETURN FROM NIGHTLIFE?
But late-night party scenes in nightclubs, pubs and bars will likely have to wait even after Singapore enters phase three, experts said.
Professor Teo said that since these activities take place in closed spaces, crowded environments and with exposure to close contacts for a prolonged period, they are considered very high risk and should not be allowed regardless of the phases.
“What we saw in New Zealand, the state of Victoria in Australia, Hong Kong and Vietnam serves as stark reminders that even when there are long periods without community cases, the situation can deteriorate rapidly in a couple of weeks … fast this The deterioration really depends on the range of activities allowed, “warned Professor Teo.
“I believe that if nightlife activities are to resume, a very careful evaluation of safe management procedures should be carried out, especially to ensure that contact tracing goes smoothly and to properly enforce the execution of these measures.” .
DORSCON ORANGE
Professor Teo noted that Singapore has been in the condition of the disease outbreak response system (Dorscon) Orange since February 7, although the current rules and regulations are much more nuanced, with different activities for different levels of risk.
He stressed the importance of clear communication to inform people about what they must do to protect themselves and the community.
Professor Cook suggested that the Dorscon framework would probably also need to be updated and reassessed after the pandemic has subsided, as there appears to be “a mismatch between the risks and responses anticipated under the Dorscon framework and what actually happened.”
[ad_2]
