Singapore appointed 2 idiots to lead the task force.

[jw5]

Lawrence updates his remote MTF conference.

Lawrence Wong​

1 hr ·
Did my first remote MTF conference as I’m still in isolation after my G20 trip.
We have and will continue to take firm action against the errant operators and individuals who have undertaken illegal activities. We will also suspend all pivoted nightlife establishments for 2 weeks to test the staff and inspect the Safe Management Measures (SMM) protocols, and allow the establishments to resume operations only after we are satisfied the SMMs are in place.
Meanwhile the whole team is working doubly hard to test, trace and ring-fence all the cases around the latest clusters. If you get an SMS alert from MOH, please get yourself tested as instructed.
We will also adjust our wider community measures for 3 weeks from 19 July to 8 Aug. In the past, with such a large outbreak, we would have imposed a circuit breaker. As we now have a much higher vaccination rate, there is no need for such significant tightening at this stage. Instead we will adopt more targeted measures aimed at protecting unvaccinated persons and ensuring our hospital capacity is not overwhelmed.
In particular for indoor mask-off settings like F&B dine-in and gyms, the group size will be dialled back to 2 persons. But if the group consists of fully vaccinated persons (or those who are recovered or tested negative) then we will allow the group size of 5 to continue. We recognise there are parents who wish to dine with their children below 12 who are not eligible for vaccination. We will allow these children to be part of the group of 5 if they are from the same household
We are all deeply disappointed about the recent flare-up of cases. We are doing our best to contain the situation and speed up vaccinations. Working together I am confident we will be able to recover from this setback, and get back on track with our reopening plans.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong clarifies updated covid 19 measures.

Lawrence Wong​

32 mins ·
Some of you have further queries on the updated Covid-19 measures. I have been going through your comments, and will address some here.

From Monday, where can larger groups of up to 5 persons dine-in?

Larger groups of up to 5 pax dine-in applies only to F&B establishments with SafeEntry and who decide to have vaccination-differentiated group sizes. Before you enter the premises, they will check your eligibility (ie your full vaccination record or your recent negative test result).

From Monday, how many children aged 12 or below can dine-in at F&B establishments with me?

If all diners are from the *same household*, then up to 4 children aged 12 and below can dine-in with 1 eligible adult. So it can't just be an all-children's affair.

What if the diners are not from the same household?

Then you can have up to 2 children aged 12 and below, together with up to 3 eligible adults.

How can I bring forward my second vaccination dose?

If you had made your vaccination appointment online, click on the personalised booking link in the latest SMS sent to you from Ministry of Health, Singapore .

We're planning to visit someone’s home. But not everyone is fully vaccinated. Will the group size of 2 or 5 apply to us?

For house visits, the group size is 5 regardless of vaccination status. But if you are not yet vaccinated, do take extra care when you go out.
As we approach the updated measures on Monday, let's continue to do our part and act responsibly. I'm confident we can overcome this together.
(

: ST - Kelvin Lim)

 

[jw5]

Lawrence recommends Yi Jia Food Centre and encourages seniors to get vaccinated.

Lawrence Wong​

39 mins ·
The revamped Yi Jia Food Centre in Limbang Shopping Centre is ready! It has a more open and brighter layout and is also more conveniently located on the ground floor next to the wet market.
Some residents have expressed concerns about the latest outbreak of cases from the Jurong Fishery Port which has spilled over into several markets and food centres all over Singapore. We are doing our best to control the spread, and also taking the necessary precautions to test all market stallholders.
At the same time, I urge everyone to continue doing your part when you go out - practise safe distancing and good personal hygiene. By now, most of you should also have been vaccinated or at least have booked your vaccination appointments.
If you are a senior who has not done so, please go to a vaccine centre nearby and get yourself jabbed. If you have an elderly parent or relative who is not vaccinated, please encourage them to do so ASAP.
We are very concerned because our seniors tend to frequent the wet markets, as well as neighbourhood shops and food centres. So our advice for unvaccinated seniors is this: stay home as much as possible. Avoid going out unless for essential reasons. By minimising your movement and social interactions, you will reduce the risk of catching the virus and developing severe illness. Please keep taking all of these precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

Singapore can play key role connecting Asean, China in trade: Gan Kim Yong​

SINGAPORE - The Republic can play an important role in enhancing both physical and digital connectivity between Asean economies and China by opening up access and facilitating trade, said Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong on Monday (July 12).

Speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, he cited the China-Singapore Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI) as crucial to facilitating the continuous flow of essentials such as food and medical supplies between China and South-east Asia amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CCI is Singapore's third government-to-government project with China after Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City.

Mr Gan noted that under the CCI, a rail link, named the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), has brought greater integration of Western China and South-east Asia.

"It has catalysed trade and economic growth by reducing the time needed to transport goods between regions from three weeks to just one week," he said on the first day of the two-day hybrid event, which has a blend of attendees present in-person and dialling in virtually.

"Despite disruptions caused by the pandemic, the CCI-ILSTC witnessed a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in cargo flows in 2020."

Increased connectivity and opportunities will help to drive economic recovery in the region, in a post-Covid-19 world where digitalisation will also play a much more substantial role, said Mr Gan, who co-chairs a multi-ministry task force on Singapore's response to the pandemic.

On that note, Singapore aims to bolster local companies' capabilities and competitiveness in Industry 4.0 supply chains which focus on automation and smart technology.

For example, the Grow Digital initiative launched in June last year under the SMEs Go Digital programme allows small and medium-sized enterprises to tap overseas markets using e-commerce platforms. More than 2,000 firms are now transacting on these platforms.

The Government has also been working with industry partners to develop a common data infrastructure (CDI) to address inefficiencies in the current supply chain ecosystem. Announced in November last year, the infrastructure will reduce dependence on physical documents and facilitate secure data exchanges.

"The development of the CDI will enable Singapore to advance our position as a digital hub for trade and fulfilment and create new opportunities for our partners to trade with and through Singapore," said Mr Gan.

Similar opportunities to strengthen digital trade with China include an electronic data exchange system under the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement upgrade signed in 2018.

The Asean Single Window platform, which expedites Customs clearance between member states, could also be linked with partners like China, said Mr Gan.

He described Beijing's participation at the World Trade Organisation's Joint Statement Initiative for E-Commerce as a positive step in developing global digital trade rules.

Earlier, he noted that trade volume between the 10 Asean countries and China had increased by 7 per cent to US$730 billion (S$986 billion) in 2020, calling it "a sign that trade between both sides continues to be robust, despite the impact of Covid-19".

Last year was the first time Asean rose to become China's largest trading partner. China has been Asean's largest trading partner for 12 years in a row.

Singapore and the South-east Asian countries are also well positioned to facilitate the flow of goods, financing and investments between China and the rest of the world, said Mr Gan.

"As companies look to reorganise their global supply chains post-Covid-19, South-east Asia can be an attractive choice for companies considering a 'China Plus' strategy."

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

Seniors not vaccinated against Covid-19 should stay at home as much as possible, go out for only essential reasons: Lawrence Wong​

SINGAPORE - Unvaccinated seniors should stay at home as much as possible, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

Mr Wong, who is co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, added that they should avoid going out unless for essential reasons.

"By minimising your movement and social interactions, you will reduce the risk of catching the virus and developing severe illness. Please keep taking all of these precautions until you are fully vaccinated," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday night (July 18).

Mr Wong added that people who are vaccinated but have unvaccinated seniors at home need to be mindful of these precautions, and that vaccinated people can still get infected, though typically with very mild symptoms.

"So if you are not careful, you may inadvertently bring the virus home to the seniors living with you," he said.

Mr Wong's comments come as a growing number of infections continue to be linked to a new Covid-19 cluster surrounding the Jurong Fishery Port. This prompted the Ministry of Health to test fishmongers from all markets here for the virus.

He said: "We are very concerned because our seniors tend to frequent the wet markets, as well as neighbourhood shops and food centres."

He also said the authorities are doing their best to control the spread of the outbreak from the fishery port, which has spilled over to several markets and food centres across the island.

Mr Wong said that by now, most people should have been vaccinated or booked their jabs.

"If you are a senior who has not done so, please go to a vaccine centre nearby and get yourself jabbed. If you have an elderly parent or relative who is not vaccinated, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible," he added.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong wishes our Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Haji.

Lawrence Wong​

4 hrs ·
Wishing our Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Haji.
Occasions and festivities have been celebrated differently because of the Covid-19 situation. Thank you for taking it in your stride, and performing congregational prayers with safe management measures in place.
May we all continue to support each other through this period, and also a kind reminder to our unvaccinated elderly to stay home as much as possible.
(

: An-Nur Mosque in Marsiling-Yew Tee)

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong explains decision to go back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Lawrence Wong​

3 hrs ·
The Covid situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse. We are not just dealing with the KTV cluster. We also have a big cluster in the Jurong Fishery Port which has spread to markets and food centres all over Singapore.
The current trajectory of infection means that cases will likely rise sharply and many more people will potentially catch the virus. Unfortunately we still have many seniors who are not vaccinated, and who are at risk of becoming severely ill should they be infected.
Hence after very careful deliberations, we have decided to go back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) - to scale back overall activity levels in the community and slow down the transmission. This will buy us time to vaccinate more people, especially our seniors.
I know that many affected businesses and individuals will be deeply disappointed by this move. It was a difficult decision to make, especially since we are so close to achieving our vaccination targets. But we could not afford to take the risk of the virus infecting our unvaccinated seniors. Let’s hunker down one more time so we can get many more people vaccinated and protected over the coming weeks.
The government will provide a support package to affected businesses and workers. The Ministry of Finance (Singapore) will provide more details on the package in the coming days.

 

[jw5]

from channelnewsasia.com:

MINDEF reviewing scale of National Day Parade and COVID-19 measures: Lawrence Wong​

SINGAPORE: This year's National Day Parade will continue as planned for now, but the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is reviewing the scale of the event and other measures, co-chair of the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Jul 20).

“National Day is an important national event, especially that it is not just any other occasion. So as of now, we do intend to continue with a National Day Parade," said Mr Wong at a press conference.

"But MINDEF is reviewing the conduct of the parade, the scale of the parade and all the necessary safe management measures to ensure that any rehearsal or events leading up to the parade itself can be done safety."

The Defence Ministry will provide updates later, he added.

Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, was responding to a question on how National Day activities will be affected given the increase in COVID-19 infections and tighter restrictions.

The task force announced on Tuesday that Singapore will return to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from Jul 22 until Aug 18. During this period, dining-in will be suspended and group sizes for social gatherings will go back down to two people.

At the current rate of transmission, it is likely that infection cases will “rise sharply”, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a media release.

“Unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of being infected, and higher risk of being seriously ill if infected," it added.

"Hence, in the meantime, we must act decisively to contain the current outbreak and minimise the risk of our hospital capacity being overwhelmed, while we race ahead to vaccinate those who have not completed or started their vaccination."

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

Singapore on the way to living with Covid-19, but must overcome roadblocks: Gan Kim Yong​

SINGAPORE - The nation is still en route to living with endemic Covid-19, but must be prepared to make adjustments along the way, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said at a virtual press conference on Tuesday (July 20).

Mr Gan, who is co-chairman of the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, was responding to a question on whether it is still too early to talk about an "endemic era" for the coronavirus.

The reporter who raised the question also highlighted the fact that the authorities had said on multiple occasions that Singapore must learn to live with the virus, but had also made numerous changes to the restrictions within a short period of time.

In response, Mr Gan said: "I think we are on an expressway towards the final objective of endemic Covid-19. But along the way, there will be bumps, and sometimes you may have roadblocks, you may have obstacles, and you may need to make a detour.

"But eventually, when we overcome the roadblocks, we will come back to the expressway and continue the journey."

He said the need remained to be flexible and respond quickly as the situation evolved in order to keep it under control.

"So I think we need to continue to plan ahead for our endemic road map, but at the same time, be prepared to make adjustments along the way in response to the evolving situation," he said.

Earlier in the press conference, he had also said Singapore still needs to keep infections under control to protect people who are not vaccinated, especially the elderly.

"Once we have slowed down the new clusters and hit higher vaccination rates, we will be able to continue with our reopening journey," he added.

His fellow co-chairman, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, also said Singapore is on the journey to a Covid-19-resilient economy and society.

"I know it may not feel like it, and we seem to move forward and backward a bit, one step back, three steps forward, two steps back, but the fact is we are on it," he said.

It is because Singapore is already on this journey that there is no need to resort to a circuit breaker, where most activities come to a halt, to tackle the recent surge in cases.

"We need not look back at closing down manufacturing, closing down offices, closing down construction activities. We've put that behind us with effective measures," he said.

The task force said it would provide additional support for businesses that are affected by the new restrictions, and that details are currently being discussed.

At this stage, said Mr Ong, a circuit breaker would be neither necessary nor helpful.

"The circuit breaker affects manufacturing, affects construction and many other sectors of the economy, of which there are now also safety protocols... many of them are in settings where they are highly vaccinated. So they are actually in a much more resilient position (and) we had never contemplated the need to go back to closing them down," he said.

Mr Ong also noted that the current rate of vaccination made Singapore much more Covid-19-resilient now than it was in the past, and that it must continue to improve in this area.

"As we progress along this expressway, further down the road you'll find that we get more and more resilient and a cluster like this will become less and less a factor in leading to industries having or sectors having to suspend their operations," he said.

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

Pivoted nightlife venues in S'pore could reopen for F&B after two weeks if Covid-19 rules are strictly followed​

SINGAPORE - Pivoted nightlife establishments may be able to resume their food and beverage (F&B) operations after two weeks if checks by government agencies show Covid-19 protocols are in place and strictly adhered to.

Revealing this on Tuesday (July 20), Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said the reopening of these businesses is contingent on whether they have been compliant with safe management measures, among other things.

"When we look at it, and we see it is properly done, the protocols are in place and they are strictly complied with, then we may allow them to resume after two weeks," he said.

Mr Wong, who was speaking at a press conference by the multi-ministry task force tackling the coronavirus outbreak, said the two-week suspension was imposed to allow agencies to go through in greater detail the safe management protocols that are in place in these establishments.

Agencies involved include the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

The agencies will also look at how these businesses are organised, and take a "risk-based approach" towards determining which pivoted nightlife establishments can reopen after the suspension period is over.

The police said on Tuesday that pivoted nightlife establishments can resume operations only if they pass inspections and receive written approval by the Singapore Food Agency.

More than 400 such establishments were told to suspend operations from July 16 for two weeks as an additional layer of precaution, following the emergence of a KTV Covid-19 cluster, which the Ministry of Health announced on July 12.

The cluster has a total of 207 cases as at Tuesday.

A multi-agency crackdown is under way to weed out errant nightlife operators among KTV lounges, nightclubs and pubs.

These places were allowed to pivot to F&B operations to remain in business, after being closed since the circuit breaker last year.

Mr Wong, who co-chairs the task force, said the reopening of these businesses is contingent on whether they have been compliant.

Agencies may "take a bit more time" if they are not satisfied that the establishments are able to comply strictly with measures, or if they have more questions for operators, he added.

Consequences could be harsh for non-compliance.

"In these inspections, if there are operators with existing breaches, we may even then revoke the licence and not allow them to continue operating," said Mr Wong.

The police have also conducted several rounds of enforcement operations related to clampdowns on the illicit nightlife sector.

Police checked 27 pivoted KTV lounges in an anti-crime operation from Tuesday to Thursday last week.

In total, 29 women were arrested for offences under the Women's Charter, the Immigration Act and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

Police said 10 of the women will be deported after they were found to be hostesses and deemed undesirable immigrants.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong comments on RVHS tragedy.

4 hrs ·
This week has been challenging for all of us. As our teams work round the clock to deal with the Covid-19 situation, we also mourn the death of the River Valley High student and come to terms with his passing.
I cannot begin to comprehend the pain his family and friends must be feeling, and the shock of losing someone you love in this way. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and to all affected by this tragedy. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please don't cope alone - lean on one another and draw hope from each other.
I know many are also disappointed over the latest restrictions. The Ministry of Finance (Singapore) team is now working hard to put together a package to support affected businesses and workers. I will announce the details soon.
It's a trying time for all. Let's also look out for one another and help those who need it, in our neighbourhood and community. Keep the faith. We will pull through together.
(

: MCI - Terence Tan)

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong has some words of encouragement.

Lawrence Wong​

3 hrs ·
We have just entered Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) and I know this is a challenging time for our workers and businesses. Thank you for your sharing your feedback and concerns with me.
The Ministry of Finance (Singapore) team and I have put together a $1.1 billion support package to help you during this Heightened Alert. We are enhancing the Job Support Scheme, extending rental relief, and providing more targeted support for our food delivery services, taxi and private hire car drivers. We also have a dedicated relief fund for hawkers and market stallholders.
I urge you to be strong and take heart. Let's stay united, and together, we will overcome this crisis.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong cheers on Team Singapore.

Lawrence Wong​

2 hrs ·
The Tokyo Olympics has started! While it’s great to watch sports at its highest level, it’s sometimes easy to forget what goes on behind the scenes - the discipline to train daily, the tears shed, the sprained limbs, the sacrifices, and the resolve to overcome fatigue and run one more mile; to swim one more lap; to shoot one more target.
With the Games taking place amid Covid-19, Team Singapore has also adapted to new routines, like smaller group trainings and virtual engagements.
They have taken many challenges in their stride. Because of this, the Singapore spirit shines brighter than ever. Let's cheer them on virtually!

#OneTeamSG #Tokyo2020
(

: SNOC, MCCY, ST- Koh Yuhan, and Singapore Gymnastics)

Tan Sze En.

: Singapore Gymnastics

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong
4 hrs ·

Clarence Chew.

: MCCY

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong
4 hrs ·

Shanti Pereira.

: MCCY

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong​

5 hrs ·

Joan Poh.

: ST- Koh Yuhan

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong encourages seniors to get vaccinated.

Lawrence Wong​

7 hrs ·
There are still about 200,000 seniors over 60 years old who have yet to be vaccinated. This is worrying. If unvaccinated seniors catch the Covid-19 virus, they may fall more severely ill.
We have made it easier for our seniors to get vaccinated. They can walk into any polyclinic or vaccination centre to get their jab.
Mobile vaccination teams have also been set up across Singapore. We will also soon see them in places like Marsiling and Woodgrove.
Vaccination can help to protect us and our loved ones. If your parents, grandparents or relatives are still unvaccinated, pass the message to them. Let's all do what we can to help protect our loved ones.
(

: ST - Chong Jun Liang)

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

Schools to remain open, no school-based Covid-19 spread from recent cases: Lawrence Wong​

SINGAPORE - Schools will stay open in spite of the current spike in Covid-19 cases, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (July 20). He added that there have been no school-based transmissions linked to the recent infections.

Mr Wong, who co-chairs the task force combating the Covid-19 outbreak, said: "When it comes to schools, we do have in place a whole series of very stringent protocols and safe management measures in order to minimise interactions in the classrooms and ensure that there is no transmission within the school system.

"And that's why, for the most part of this pandemic, we have been able to keep schools open, ensure that learning continues safely, not just for our students, but also for all our educators."

He was responding to a question from the media, during a virtual press conference by the task force, about whether schools will be shut down.

Mr Wong, who noted that many places worldwide have ended up closing schools for extended periods of time, said: "Many studies now have shown that these extended school closures do have an impact on learning, it has an impact on students."

He said the impact of school closures can be long-lasting, and may even lead to permanent scarring when it comes to learning and the development of human capital. Hence, the Government has tried very hard to avoid this scenario.

Mr Wong added that the students who have been infected so far have been infected by their family members and not in schools.

Thus, based on the current assessment, Singapore will still keep its schools open at the present stage, said Mr Wong.

"The Ministry of Education will continue to ensure that our safe management measures in our schools are stringently upheld," he said.

"They will make sure that all the protocols are adhered to strictly, and of course they will continue to monitor the situation very closely to see if further adjustments are needed along the way."

 

[jw5]

from msn.com:

$1.1b in support for Singapore workers, employers: Lawrence Wong​

SINGAPORE — The Singapore government will require private landlords to match its two weeks of rental relief cash payouts for occupiers of privately owned commercial properties during the country's current Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) period.

"In the last Heightened Alert, we did not require private landlords to extend rental relief. Instead we encouraged landlords to do their part to match the government relief.

"However, many tenants, especially those in the affected F&B and retail sectors, have told us that not all landlords were forthcoming in providing such rental support," said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Monday (26 July) as he highlighted the latest round of government support measures.

Wong added that the government also recognised that not all landlords are in the same financial situation and that a process would be put in place to consider the circumstances of those facing "genuine hardship".

The government will also extend support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and eligible non-profit organisations by granting four weeks of rental waiver to qualifying tenants of government-owned commercial properties.

Other measures​

Wong said the government will also be extending the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS), which provides wage support for employers, for affected sectors by four weeks until 18 August.

He added that higher wage support would further mitigate the impact of protracted safe management measures and uncertainties.

For sectors that are required to close or suspend their activities, 60 per cent JSS support will be provided – up from the 50 per cent that was previously given. "This will benefit the F&B, sports, performing arts and arts education sectors," said Wong.

Sectors significantly affected by the latest restrictions will be granted 40 per cent JSS support, up from 30 per cent previously. These benefits will cover footfall-dependent sectors such as retail, museums, art galleries, historical sites, cinema operators, some personal care services, and family entertainment centres.

The tourism sector will also receive 40 per cent support, which will benefit attractions, hotels, cruise and regional ferry operators, MICE organisers and travel agents.

Depending on how Singapore's COVID-19 situation evolves, the JSS support will be tapered down to 10 per cent for two weeks from 19 to 31 August as businesses reopen.

In recognition that hawkers and market stallholders have been "disproportionately affected" this time round, a new Market and Hawker Centre Relief Fund will be introduced. It will provide a one-off cash sum of $500 to each stallholder operating in government hawker centres and markets.

To help hawkers adapt to the latest disruptions, Enterprise Singapore will also reintroduce the Food Delivery Booster Package to help hawkers defray the costs of using online food delivery platforms.

This support comes on top of the existing additional month of rental waivers and subsidies for dishwashing and table-cleaning fees, which were announced on 16 July, said Wong.

Taxi and private hire car drivers will also be provided greater assistance under the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund from 22 July to 30 September.

Workers facing a loss of income can turn to the COVID-19 Recovery Grant–Temporary scheme, which will have its period of coverage extended from end-July to end-August. "Eligible workers who continue to be impacted can re-apply to receive a second payout," said Wong.

How it will be funded​

In total, the latest round of support measures is expected to cost $1.1 billion and will be funded through budget reallocation, said Wong.

"First, we have worked with agencies to identify $0.9 billion of one-off underutilisation in operating and development expenditures. These are due to delays brought about by COVID-19.

"They include postponement and cancellation of activities in schools due to COVID-19 and construction project delays," he said. Another $0.2 billion will come from a buffer that was presented during the Supplementary Estimate in July.

Wong also noted that the government support to workers and businesses over the two periods of Heightened Alert since May is estimated to total more than $2 billion.

 

[jw5]

from mothership.sg:

S'pore to lift most social & workplace restrictions when Covid-19 is endemic, although mask-wearing 'may remain': Gan Kim Yong​

Covid-19 may be treated like the flu in the near future.

Singapore will be able to lift "practically all social and workplace restrictions" when Singapore reaches an endemic state with regards to Covid-19, according to Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.

However, Gan, who is also the co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, added that not all Covid-19 measures may be lifted, as some critical measures such as mask-wearing and precautions for large events "may remain" even when the Covid-19 situation improves.

Businesses must look towards the future​

During his Ministerial Statement on Monday (July 26), Gan said that the government recognises that it has been a difficult time for businesses, especially for sectors that have been more affected by the tightening of Safe Management Measures (SMMs), such as F&B establishments and gyms.

While the government has provided various support schemes, such as the Jobs Support Scheme and the Jobs Growth Initiative, Gan said that many business owners feel that the measures, although useful, can only serve as temporary pain relief.

According to Gan, he was "heartened" that many businesses have adapted their operations in response to the challenges, by moving their businesses online, as they are seeking new opportunities while preparing for recovery.

He praised such businesses who have shown resilience in the face of Covid-19, and said that this was "the right attitude to have".

Gan emphasised that businesses must be ready to adapt and transform quickly, in order to emerge stronger after the end of the Covid-19 crisis.

"To ensure that we do not get left behind once the dust settles, we must turn this once-in-a-generation crisis into a once-in-a-generation opportunity, to transform our businesses, develop new areas of growth, and strengthen our connections to the global economy," said Gan.

Employers should stock up on self-testing kits​

In addition, Gan also said that businesses can take certain steps to prepare for Singapore's re-opening.

For example, business owners should encourage and facilitate all medically-eligible employees, especially those involved in high-touch point activities, to get vaccinated, with those who cannot be vaccinated should be deployed to lower-risk settings.

Businesses who provide high-touch point services or tap on a pool of frequently-changing workers should also integrate the use of Covid-19 self-testing kits into their work processes.

"I know of several employers who have made bulk purchases of testing kits, so their staff can easily access them if needed. This is a good idea, and I encourage other employers to do so," said Gan.

Employees should be encouraged to self-isolate and get themselves tested if they are not feeling well, or if they suspect that they may have been exposed to Covid-19.

Gan also encouraged employers to continue allowing flexible work arrangements, and to put in place business continuity plans, in order to strengthen operational resilience.

Fully-vaccinated persons will be the first to travel​

Singapore will also begin looking at relaxing border restrictions safely.

Gan explained that as a small and open economy, Singapore does not have the luxury of closing off to the world, and that many parts of the local economy requires a steady flow of people in and out of the country.

He also said that Singaporeans must not forget the plight of the significant international community based in Singapore, many of whom have not been able to return home to visit their families since the start of the pandemic.

"It has not been easy for many of them," said Gan.

Hence, as Singapore's vaccination coverage increases, the nation will progressively facilitate international travel with countries that have managed Covid-19 well, in order to allow fully-vaccinated persons to travel and do business more freely.

According to Gan, the government is currently engaging partner countries, and will provide an update when ready.

Covid-19 should be less disruptive in the future​

According to Gan, if the incidence of severe illness from Covid-19 remains low despite clusters emerging "from time to time," Singapore would be able to arrive at a truly endemic state.

This would mean the lifting of "practically all social and workplace restrictions", although he emphasised that critical measures such as mask-wearing and precautions for large events may remain.

Such a state would mean that domestic infected cases will create much less disruption than they do today, which would allow local businesses to largely return to their normal operations.

For example, businesses may not have to shut down their premises for deep cleaning, whenever a Covid-19 case has visited the location.

Instead, infected individuals with mild symptoms may simply recover from home, with close contacts monitoring their health and not needing to quarantine or undergo self-isolation.

"This is similar to how we treat influenza cases today," said Gan.