As marriages return to pre-Covid-19 levels, PM Lee hopes babies roar back in Tiger year
PM Lee Hsien Loong said in his annual Chinese New Year message that he hopes marriage and birth numbers will come roaring back in the Year of the Tiger. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Jean Iau
UPDATED
30 JAN 2022, 9:35 PM SGT
FacebookWhatsApp
SINGAPORE - Large gatherings over Chinese New Year will have to wait a little longer in the light of the Omicron variant, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as he acknowledged that many had adapted to the restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and were using technology to keep in touch with loved ones.
But he pointed out that the Chinese New Year was also a time to look out for all things auspicious and that, after an initial dip, the number of marriages here has "caught up" and is back to pre-pandemic levels.
The pandemic years have seen the number of births dip slightly, he noted in his annual Chinese New Year message on Sunday (Jan 30).
"I hope that marriage and birth numbers will come roaring back in the Year of the Tiger," Mr Lee said.
Official figures show there were 19,430 marriages involving at least one citizen here in 2020, down from 22,165 in 2019. But, in the first six months of 2021, 12,980 couples tied the knot, up from 8,862 couples in the first half of 2020.
The Prime Minister also said birth numbers "have fallen slightly, but not as much as we had feared".
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
There were 38,651 births in Singapore last year - including to foreigners - according to provisional official figures, compared with 38,590 births in 2020 and 39,279 in 2019.
Asked about the latest figures, a spokesman for the National Population and Talent Division said: “Based on preliminary figures for 2021, birth numbers have fallen slightly from the pre-pandemic period and marriage numbers are similar to the pre-pandemic period. The actual 2021 figures are in the process of being finalised and will be made known in due course.”
PM Lee said: "Covid-19 or not, parents and grandparents still greatly look forward to welcoming new arrivals. The infants bring joy and warmth to the whole family, and carry our hopes and dreams for a brighter tomorrow."
He added that the Government strongly supports Singaporeans who want to start families, citing the Baby Support Grant - which gives parents $3,000 if their newborn child's date of birth or estimated delivery date is from Oct 1, 2020 to Sept 30, 2022.
As families prepare to send off the Year of the Ox and usher in the Year of the Tiger, PM Lee wrote in his message: "Some of us will celebrate with our families, while others will get together with friends and neighbours who have become family. This is the essence of Chinese New Year, which is about our families and loved ones."
"We share our joys and celebrate with them in good times, and look to them for support and comfort during difficult periods."
Nearly 500 couples in S'pore plan to marry on once-in-a-lifetime date 22/2/22
PM Lee said he hopes that with vaccinated travel lanes opening and international travel progressively resuming, families who have not been able to see loved ones who live abroad over the pandemic might be reunited this year.
However, large gatherings will have to wait a little longer, he said.
"Many of us have done our best to adapt, and learnt to stay connected through the Internet. Many families will be organising virtual meetups effortlessly at the touch of a button, and livening them up with online fun and games," said the Prime Minister.
For families who are meeting in person, PM Lee urged them to continue to exercise social responsibility and maintain basic hygiene practices, such as washing hands and using common utensils when sharing food. Those who feel unwell should isolate themselves and get ample rest as a precaution.
"After all, we care for our loved ones by keeping them safe."
Group size for CNY remains at 5 people due to Covid-19 Omicron surge
Stick to the rules; stay at home if you are even mildly unwell: Ong Ye Kung
He also encouraged families to keep one another safe by getting vaccinated.
"Vaccinations are safe and effective," PM Lee said, adding that the vaccination roll-out for children aged five to 11 at the turn of the year has been met with a good response.
He noted that vaccinations reduce the chances of contracting Covid-19 and greatly lower the risk of serious complications, including for the Omicron variant.
"This is true for everyone - not just young children and teenagers, but also and especially the frail and the elderly," said PM Lee.
"Please encourage all your family members, young or old, to get vaccinated, and get booster shots when eligible. It is both for their own protection, and to protect others."
Those who test positive for Covid-19 using ART should get booster vaccine dose: MOH
Reopening plans ahead of CNY thwarted by Covid-19 Omicron variant: President Halimah
In closing, PM Lee wished all Singaporeans good health and a happy Chinese New Year.
He said: "In the new year, let us work together to resolutely overcome the pandemic with the strength of the Tiger, and seize new opportunities to build a better Singapore with the boldness of the beast."
