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SINGAPORE: The government does not expect Singapore to exit the third phase of reopening its post-COVID-19 circuit breaker “any time soon,” State Health Minister Janil Puthucheary said on Thursday (February 25).
“Phase 3 is a new normal that will last until such time as there is evidence of the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing future outbreaks, a substantial proportion of the population is vaccinated and the rest of the world also has the virus under control,” he said. Dr. Puthucheary in Parliament, in response to a question from Member of Parliament (MP) Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang).
Since Singapore entered Phase 3 on December 28 last year, there has been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in many countries, as well as the emergence of variants of the virus that are more easily transmitted, he said.
He noted that Singapore had faced an increase in the number of unrelated cases and community groups several weeks ago and, as such, had strengthened safe community management measures and recalibrated the pace and scale at which activities could be resumed. , even in Phase 3.
READ: COVID-19: Singapore’s Phase 3 reopening could last a year or more, says Gan Kim Yong
Singapore must remain vigilant even as COVID-19 outbreaks in other countries have subsided in recent weeks, added Dr. Puthucheary.
“We will continue to find ways to allow our economy and society to reopen even more safely. But given the dynamic situation here and around the world, we will need to adjust our safe management measures from time to time,” he said.
“We don’t expect to get out of Phase 3 anytime soon.”
Mr. Yip asked if vaccination rates had to cross a certain threshold before the government considered exiting Phase 3.
Dr. Puthucheary said that while the vaccines approved for use here had proven effective in providing protection against COVID-19, authorities were still awaiting further evidence that they would also prevent transmission. He added that the effectiveness of vaccines against new variants of the coronavirus was also being closely monitored.
“In the meantime, our best strategy is to remain disciplined on safe management measures and achieve a high level of vaccination within our population to boost our herd immunity,” he said, adding that Singapore has made “good progress” in its vaccination program. .
“We continue to bring in more vaccine supplies and encourage all eligible Singaporeans to take vaccines to protect themselves and those around them,” he said.
In November last year, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said people should be prepared for Phase 3 of Singapore’s reopening to last for an “extended period” of a year or more.
IMPACT OF THE SINOVAC VACCINE
Yip also asked if Singapore’s vaccination schedule would change should the Sinovac vaccine, which arrived in the country on Tuesday, be approved, noting that Singapore had previously been reported to have enough vaccines for its entire population by the third quarter of this year. anus.
Dr. Puthucheary responded that the schedule depended on several factors, such as the ability to increase the capacity and capacity of vaccination centers, as well as people’s willingness to get vaccinated.
“Approval or licensing of a given vaccine is not a major limiting step in that process. We will view the licensing of the vaccine as a question of safety and efficacy of a given vaccine,” he said.
READ: Singapore receives its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine from Sinovac
MP Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang) asked if the Health Ministry had back-up processes in case there was an outbreak of more virulent strains of COVID-19 that current safe management measures may not be enough to contain.
Fundamental measures such as safe distancing and contact tracing are a “necessary and important” part of the fight against COVID-19, Dr. Puthucheary responded, adding that how those measures are applied depends on the risk they pose to the population of Singapore.
The details of any particular variant would be in “hypothetical space,” he said.
“The key point would be that we take technical and professional advice as a reference, and we are very grateful to have in-depth technical and professional advice to advise us in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
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