Singapore can ease curbs after June 13, if situation improves and community cases fall: PM Lee

• May 31, 2021

IF Singapore’s Covid-19 situation improves and the number of community cases falls further, the government “should be able” to relax the existing Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions after June 13, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday.

In a televised speech, Mr Lee said that barring another super-spreader or big cluster, the country “should be on track” to bring the outbreak under control, and that “we will know for sure” in another week or so.

Singapore has just passed the half-way mark of the current Heightened Alert period, which began on May 16. There are many strict restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus, including a complete ban on dining-in. There have been 62,028 cases in Singapore as at May 30, with the death toll at 33.

“I count on everyone to keep up our efforts and stay vigilant. Please continue to stay home, work from home if possible, and go out only if you must. Most importantly, if you feel unwell, see a doctor immediately – even if you have been vaccinated,” said the prime minister.

To keep people safe while reopening progressively, Mr Lee said the aim is to do three things – testing of the virus, contact-tracing and vaccination – more quickly and more extensively.

With about 13 days to go until the end of Heightened Alert, he thanked Singaporeans for their forbearance, cooperation and support during the Heightened Alert phase.

“Every individual effort counts. Our collective discipline and social responsibility have served us well, and taken us thus far,” he said. “Let us go the distance together as one people, so that we can look forward to a new normal, and emerge as a stronger and more united Singapore.”

Source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-can-ease-curbs-after-june-13-if-situation-improves-and-community-cases