Singapore – “We can neither lockdown indefinitely and stand still, nor can we simply let go and let things rip,” said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an update to Singapore’s Covid-19 situation.
Citing the multi-ministry task force for Covid-19, Mr Lee announced through a Facebook post on Saturday (Oct 23) that Covid-19 measures can be eased if the weekly infection growth rate drops below one.
The weekly infection growth rate is the ratio of community Covid-19 cases in the past week over the week before. If the ratio is greater than one, it indicates that cases are growing while less than one means declining cases.
A fortnight ago, the ratio was 1.5, meaning that cases doubled every two weeks or so, Mr Lee explained.
Now the ratio has fallen to 1.15, still slightly above on, indicating that cases are rising at 15 per cent per week and doubling about every month.
“If the ratio drops below one, and our hospital and ICU situations remain stable, we can ease some measures,” said Mr Lee.
He noted that fully vaccinated family members from the same household could eat together at F&B outlets in a group of up to five people if the growth rate falls below one.
Selected team sports and school activities can also resume with appropriate safeguards, added Mr Lee.
“Many of you have written to express your frustrations about the restrictions, while others have voiced concerns that we are opening up too fast!” he highlighted.
“I fully understand how you feel. It has been a long journey, and the continuing uncertainty and disruption are hard on all of us. Some sectors – like F&B – have had an exceptionally tough time.”
However, he noted that Singapore must take a middle route approach without “letting things rip” or locking down indefinitely.
“We have to travel this road to get to living safely with Covid-19. We want to get there with as few casualties as possible,” said Mr Lee.
He noted that the course the task force is setting “reflects our judgment on how best to do this.”
Mr Lee asked the public to do their part in exercising social responsibility.
“If you are offered a vaccination or booster dose, please take it. It will reduce your chances of getting seriously ill or needing ICU care.”
On Oct 20, the Ministry of Health announced that Covid-19 restrictions would be extended to Nov 21.
Under the restrictions, social gatherings are capped to a maximum of two people, and work-from-home is still the default.
Those allowed to dine in at food and beverage establishments are limited to a maximum of two individuals./TISG