Singapore appointed 2 idiots to lead the task force.

[jw5]

Lawrence is proud of Kean Yew.

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Lawrence Wong​

22 hrs · Instagram ·

History is made. Singapore now has our first badminton world champion! Congrats @lohkeanyew ! We are all very proud of what you have achieved and for flying the flag high

 

[jw5]

Lawrence enjoys his tang yuan.

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Lawrence Wong​

2 hrs · Instagram ·

Enjoying some glutinous rice balls or “tang yuan” with the family today. Happy winter solstice! 祝大家冬至快乐！

 

[jw5]

Lawrence announces support for employers.

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Lawrence Wong​

12 hrs ·

More than 24,400 employers will be receiving support under the Jobs Support Scheme from 31 December onwards.

This is for businesses significantly affected by the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) and Stabilisation Phase periods in August to October this year. With this payout, more than $28 billion of such support would have been disbursed since the scheme was introduced in February last year.

We hope this will continue to help businesses retain their workers, and support them in reskilling and upgrading.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence gives a shout out to SP students.

Lawrence Wong​

11 hrs ·
How has our little red dot developed over the years thanks to government expenditure? How much planning goes into our green spaces and neighbourhoods?
A big shout out to Singapore Polytechnic students for giving us your take on this – and taking us on a walk around Singapore, from the water systems flowing into our towns and neighbourhoods, to the trees of our Botanic Gardens, and views of our HDB estates.

Well done, students, for putting the video together. Looking forward to more videos to come!
(Video by: Sindy Lim, Chan Jia Yi, Shirley Tang, Natalya Foo and Troy Han)

 

[jw5]

Lawrence wishes all residents Merry X'mas.

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Lawrence Wong​

12 hrs · Instagram ·

Merry X’mas everyone! May your days be merry and bright, and your hearts filled with peace, hope and joy

 

[jw5]

Lawrence explains the change in strategy.

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Lawrence Wong​

7 hrs · Instagram ·

It has been more than a month since the emergence of the Omicron variant. Initially we had adopted a more cautious containment approach - this was to buy time to slow down the spread of the variant and learn more about it. We now know that the Omicron variant is likely to be more transmissible but less severe than Delta. The current vaccines and boosters are also effective in protecting against severe illnesses caused by Omicron.

So we are now adjusting our protocols to manage the Omicron cases in the same way as we do for Delta. That means Omicron cases or close contacts can recover or isolate at home, instead of going to a dedicated facility. We will then prioritise our healthcare resources for the more severe cases, as well as those who are more vulnerable.

Vaccinations and boosters remain a key strategy to defend against omicron. If you still have not been jabbed, please do so right away. Without the vaccine, you will face restrictions on your movement, including not being able to go back to the office. These restrictions are necessary to protect you from severe illness due to the virus. If you have already received the primary jabs, please get the booster when your turn comes. And for children below 12, vaccinations are now being rolled out with due dispatch.

It is inevitable that Omicron will spread in our community as it has in countries everywhere. We must expect a new wave of cases in the coming days and weeks. But we have done whatever we can to prepare for this next wave, and we can weather through it together as one people.

(

: ST - Desmond Wee)

 

[jw5]

Lawrence enjoys an evening walk.

Lawrence Wong​

2 hrs · Instagram ·
Evening walks in nature are so much more pleasant this period with the cool weather and beautiful Xmas lightings. Check out the Botanic Gardens and this community garden at Woodlands Town Park East!

 

[jw5]

Very colourful Christmas tree.

 

[jw5]

The star shines brightly atop the tree.

 

[jw5]

Very bright plants.

 

[jw5]

So many colourful balls.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence is happy that the panda cub has been named.

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Lawrence Wong​

2 hrs · Instagram ·

Panda cub has been named. Say hello to Le Le 叻叻!

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong speaks seriously about a serious matter.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence Wong stands tall among his colleagues.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence will be staying home and viewing the fireworks online.

Lawrence Wong​

4 hrs · Instagram ·
As we get ready to say farewell to 2021, let's continued to stay disciplined and comply with all the safe management measures - whether we are going out for a meal or visiting our family and loved ones.
Exercising individual and social responsibility is still the best way to protect our health and that of our family and friends.
Hope everyone will enjoy the fireworks that will be set off from heartland locations across our island as we welcome 2022 - I'll be staying home and viewing the fireworks online!

 

[jw5]

Lawrence is hopeful.

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Lawrence Wong​

4 hrs · Instagram ·

We’ve had our share of ups and downs in 2021. But we are ending it with hope.

We are making progress in our fight against Covid-19. Our @teamsingapore athletes did us proud. We protected both lives and livelihoods.

What will 2022 be like? No one can tell. But I will continue to work hard to make 2022 and the years to come better for all Singaporeans.

In our budget engagement sessions, many have told me what they look forward to: a cleaner and greener home; more help for the vulnerable; good jobs for the young, the old and the middle-aged.

On 18 February 2022, I will be delivering my first Budget speech.

My colleagues and I will try to distil our collective hopes and aspirations into a set of strong plans and programmes. MOF will do our best to put money behind them and turn hopes into action.

Keep those ideas coming. Let us work together for a fairer Singapore, that is also vibrant, sustainable and safe!

 

[jw5]

Lawrence wishes everyone Happy New Year!

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

S'pore must expect new wave of Covid-19 cases in coming days due to Omicron: Lawrence Wong​

SINGAPORE - Singapore must expect a new wave of Covid-19 cases in the coming days and weeks, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

"It is inevitable that Omicron will spread in our community as it has in countries everywhere," said Mr Wong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, in a Facebook post on Monday (Dec 27).

"But we have done whatever we can to prepare for this next wave, and we can weather through it together as one people."

When the Omicron variant emerged last month, the authorities initially adopted a more cautious containment approach to slow down its spread and learn more about it, he said.

It has been found that Omicron is likely to be more transmissible but less severe than the Delta variant, and that current vaccines and boosters are effective in protecting against severe illnesses caused by Omicron, he added.

The authorities are now adjusting protocols to manage Omicron cases in the same way as for Delta ones, said Mr Wong.

For instance, Omicron cases or close contacts can recover under the home recovery programme instead of being isolated at dedicated facilities.


"We will then prioritise our healthcare resources for the more severe cases, as well as those who are more vulnerable," he said.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Sunday that 546 confirmed Omicron cases have been detected as at Saturday, comprising 443 imported cases and 103 local ones.

None of the cases here has been severe, and infected individuals have not required oxygen supplementation or intensive care, MOH added.

Mr Wong encouraged the public to get vaccinated to avoid restrictions on their movements, including not being able to go to the office.

MOH announced on Sunday that unvaccinated workers will not be allowed to return to the workplace from Jan 15 next year, even with a negative Covid-19 test.

The move is meant to bolster Singapore's protection against a large wave of local Omicron cases and keep workplaces here safe, MOH said.

 

[jw5]

Lawrence starts the first work day of 2022.

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Lawrence Wong​

4 hrs · Instagram ·

It’s the first work day of 2022! Hope everyone is making a smooth transition back to the office. Do continue with your weekly antigen tests and comply with safe management measures to keep our workplaces safe

 

[jw5]

Lawrence will continue to provide support.

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Lawrence Wong​

3 hrs · Instagram ·

We are continuing to provide support to families during the pandemic, and to help address cost of living concerns

This month, households will receive another tranche of U-Save rebates to help offset their utility bills. The amount ranges from $55 to $95, depending on flat type. For the entire financial year 2021, households living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats will receive rebates equivalent to about 4.5 to 6 months of their utility bills, while those living in 3- and 4-room HDB flats will receive support equivalent to about 1.5 to 3 months of their utility bills.

We will review and update the support measures for households as we prepare for Budget 2022