The latest easing of Covid-19 measures has the appearance of a well-calibrated move made as a result of what the Multi-Ministry Task Force has achieved so far. But, in truth, it is not. Time is not on the side of the MTF. The pressure to ease up and open up is mounting.
Fully vaccinated people, including those from different households, can dine together in groups of up to five from Monday (Nov 22). The group size limit on social gatherings will also be raised from two to five people, and the cap on household visitors will likewise increase to five.
MTF co-chair Lawrence Wong said the easing announced on Saturday (Nov 20) was deliberated focused on one parameter – the maximum size of social gatherings, subject to stricter vaccination-differentiated measures.
The welcomed announcement came on the heels of the decision to have vaccinated travel lane (VTL) arrangements with more countries. And, significantly, everything has been taking place against the backdrop of a major MICE event, the annual Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2021 (held at Marina Bay Sands) which was considered a milestone in Singapore’s journey to being a Covid-19 resilient nation and retaining its place as a global economic hub.
Obviously, all these measures – aimed at making life easier and more tolerable for families and getting the economy back on its feet – are possible because of a number of factors.
Our vaccination rates are of one of the best in the world – 94 per cent of the eligible population and 85 per cent of total population. The number of unvaccinated seniors is now 61,000, down from an alarming 175,000 at one time. The daily virus cases rates have somewhat stabilised, with potentially less stress on the healthcare system
In Singapore and world-wide, there has also been a greater understanding of how the virus is transmitted and, more important, what individuals can do to protect themselves. And many people are doing just that – wear masks, get your jabs and self-test. The availability of antigen rapid test kits has been a boon – which brings me to the question of the ridiculously huge gap in their retail prices in Singapore and Malaysia: From $8 here and only $2.14 across the Causeway. Has there been profiteering by local pharmacies? Someone please bring this up in the next Parliament sitting.
I think the government has to change gear now and quicken the pace of national rejuvenation.
It has a number of things to do.
Maybe it is time to soften the “step-by-step, play safe” mantra. We have already got the message.
Start talking more on the opening up. No Big Bang, of course, but some small but concrete steps must be taken to restore land traffic between Singapore and Johor. Families need to be reunited. And ordinary Singaporeans have been cooped up on the island for too long. Think Batam too.
The two key requirements in the Transition Phase should be instilling personal self-discipline (and offering the means to take care of yourself) AND clarity of government measures and messages.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung could not have put it more clearly and urgently:
“While the easing will likely lead to more social interactions, which may result in more daily Covid-19 cases and more patients getting hospitalised, the growing number of people getting vaccine boosters – along with vaccination-differentiated measures – will help mitigate the impact on Singapore’s healthcare system.
“If Singapore misses this window and delays reopening until next year, the added protection from boosters may have weakened somewhat, resulting in poorer outcomes in terms of Covid-19 infections and the resulting strain on the healthcare system.”
We cannot afford to delay opening up. The window is closing.
Tan Bah Bah, consulting editor of TheIndependent.Sg, is a former senior leader writer with The Straits Times. He was also managing editor of a local magazine publishing company.