Singapore to increase testing, tracing & the vaccination rollout
In a televised statement to Singaporeans and residents today, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outlined the next phase of the country's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic - increasing testing, contact tracing and the speed of the vaccination rollout.
In his speech, the Prime Minister reported that the current heightened measures have made a positive impact on community cases of the virus, and outlined how in three key areas, Singapore can move towards the "new normal" in which he anticipates Covid to become endemic.
Testing
Currently, Singapore uses a combination of ART and PCR testing to confirm Covid-19 cases and has been trialling alternative methods, such as breathalysers, in some use cases. With tests becoming faster and cheaper, routine testing can be done at more workplaces, restaurants and shopping malls, and for individuals whose jobs involve coming into close contact with many people, such as educators and taxi drivers, Mr Lee said.
“Henceforth we will not only test to identify infections when a new case pops up. We will also routinely and regularly test people who appear well, in normal work or social or community settings, to make these places safe. Therefore, you should expect routine, large-scale, fast and simple testing to be part of our new normal.”
Self-tests, to be made available at local pharmacies in a breathalyser format, will be made available soon with clear instructions. No further detail has been made available at this stage on costs or limitations on purchases.
In general, those residing in Singapore should expect high-traffic areas to move towards more regular testing in the coming months.
Contact Tracing
The TraceTogether contact tracing process is allowing for swift connections to be made between confirmed cases and those who may have come into contact with the person. A reminder that QR code scanning and other methods of tracing have been phased out, with the TraceTogether app and tokens now the default tracing mechanism for all users.
Currently, when a close contact of an infected case is identified, that first-degree contact will be tested and isolated. In the future, his or her household members will also be notified to isolate themselves immediately, without waiting to see whether that first-degree contact tests positive, said Mr Lee.
Vaccination Rollout
The Prime Minister stated that four-in-ten residents have been vaccinated with at least one dose, as of today. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has received confirmation of further supplies of the vaccine(s) earlier than anticipated, allowing for a swifter rollout to remaining age groups. The following are the groups for whom the vaccine will next be made available, in order of rollout:
- Students graduating at O, N and A-levels
- Students with special needs
- Students aged 12 years and above
- Adults aged 39 years and below, with a 2-week priority registration window for Singaporean citizens within this large group
Those aged over 60 years who have yet to take up the offer of the vaccination may now attend any of the vaccination centres without an appointment. The Ministry of Health is revising some of its earlier advice in regards to extending vaccinations in special cases, please refer to their official guidance for updates.