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Singapore could still live with restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus for more than a year, even after it enters the next stage of pandemic relief measures as cases are brought under control.
“Phase 3 is not free for everyone,” Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who also co-chairs the city-state virus working group, said in a Bloomberg TV interview. “We will be in Phase 3 for quite some time because it will last until an effective vaccine or treatment is widely available.”
With daily community cases at zero for nine consecutive days so far, Singapore has cautiously relaxed restrictions on the virus in an attempt to open up an economy that relies heavily on trade and tourism, such as forging ahead with travel bubble with Hong Kong. The country, which has a With a total count of more than 58,000 cases, it is expected to continue to loosen some measures in the coming months, as it plans to move to the last phase of restrictions by the end of the year.
This call Phase 3, in which the maximum number of gatherings outside of homes could increase from five to eight people, will continue to have restrictions such as the use of masks and the safe distance. However, there is the possibility of further relaxation within this stage, depending on the availability of a vaccine and the ability to test, Wong said.
Read more from Bloomberg’s interview with Wong, who also said he doesn’t see any more virus help until the next budget
The vaccine and the new normal
Singapore is entering into supply agreements with various vaccine companies and will analyze the test and test data before approving it for its population, Wong said. The goal is “to build a vaccine portfolio, a diversified portfolio so that it gives us the best possible opportunity to provide safe and effective vaccines for everyone in Singapore,” he said.
Wong said groups such as medical personnel, frontline workers and vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, will likely be prioritized for the vaccine. Still, even once it’s distributed, life is unlikely to return to pre-Covid normal.
“Hopefully the public hygiene standards will be higher,” Wong said. “Wearing masks may not apply to everyone, but certainly if you have a cough and a cold and are sick, you should wear a mask and hopefully that will continue.” He also added that he hopes companies will be more open to flexible work arrangements that allow staff to work from home.
The minister also downplayed the idea of so-called “vaccine passports,” suggesting that those vaccinated are unlikely to travel freely. “You will still need tests because a vaccine is not foolproof,” he said. “Even if a vaccine is 90% effective, how do I know that you are not among the 10% who are not affected?”
– With the assistance of Rishaad Salamat, Anand Menon, Faris Mokhtar and Jeff Sutherland
