S’pore should make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory, so measures can ease for everyone
SINGAPORE - There is no way to stop Covid-19 infections from spreading. The only thing that prolonging, or even enhancing, safety measures can do is to slow that spread - which is Singapore's current game plan. But eventually, large swathes of the population, whether vaccinated or not, will likely encounter the coronavirus. Last Monday (Sept 6), the Government said quick action was needed to dampen the increasing likelihood of an "exponential rise" in cases, even as Singapore hits 81 per cent in its full vaccination rate. Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced more frequent rostered routine testing for people in higher-risk settings and mandatory testing and self-isolation for those who get health risk warnings. He also urged Singaporeans to limit non-essential social interactions. Some quarters expressed disappointment, pointing out how the Government had earlier said measures would be eased once 80 per cent of the population had been fully vaccinated. But dining in at restaurants remains capped at five people if all are vaccinated, and two at hawker centres regardless of vaccination status. Working from home is still the default with only half the employees allowed back at the ...
