Safe living with COVID-19: Singapore enters a new phase

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that from March 29, people in this country may not have to wear masks when going out, although it is still encouraged, but wearing masks still applies. is mandatory in enclosed spaces; the size of the gathering group is increased from 5 people to 10 people and each household can welcome 10 people to visit at any time; 75% of workers can return to work compared to 50% before, and events with more than 1,000 attendees can also increase capacity to 75% from 50%.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasized that Singapore has now reached an important milestone in the journey of living with COVID-19. The country is well positioned to ease restrictions with high vaccination rates (95% of eligible Singaporeans have completed 2 doses of the vaccine and 71% of the total population have received booster shots); The COVID-19 wave caused by the Omicron variant has peaked and is on the decline with about 10,000 new cases per day in recent days compared with more than 26,000 at its peak. He also noted that Singapore’s population now has stronger immunity to many people who have contracted COVID-19 and recovered from it.

At the press conference that followed, Singapore’s COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial Task Force (MTF) announced a number of additional easing measures from March 29, such as food shops being allowed to serve drinks. alcohol after 10:30 p.m. daily; Outdoor live performances are resumed… The Singapore authorities are also considering the resumption of bars, nightclubs, karaoke…

In addition, Singapore will drastically simplify testing and isolation requirements for entry. Most restrictions on travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be lifted.

From April 1, new border policies will be applied again almost before the epidemic. Accordingly, all vaccinated travelers and children aged 12 and under entering Singapore are not required to be isolated without having to travel on flights under the Vaccine Travel Lane (VTL). These travelers are also not required to have a rapid COVID-19 test (ART) upon arrival, but only need to have a negative test result within 48 hours prior to departure. They also do not need to apply for a Vaccine Passport (VTP) as before.

In addition, as Singapore reopens to normal activities, to protect vulnerable populations, it will also launch a second booster shot for people aged 80 years and over who have immune systems. poor outcomes and those with severe chronic illness 5 months after they received their first booster.