It seems that Singapore is going through the equivalent of what Marvel superheroes faced over the last couple of years.
First, there was Phase 1. A time of growing unrest.
And then there was Phase 2. The tentative and nail-biting period, so to speak.
Last but not least, there was (is) Phase 3. Though unlike Marvel…
We’ve yet to win the fight.
Experts: Here’s What Phase 3 in S’pore Will Look Like
Though unconfirmed, experts have provided valuable insight into how Phase 3 may turn out.
According to The Straits Times, Phase three will be similar to Phase two, in the sense that Singaporeans can expect restrictions to be eased in a calibrated and cautious manner.
As such, one should not expect a “significant” relaxing of measures in Phase 3.
Some activities that were previously barred will probably also not make a return.
This includes nightlife, which is considered “high-risk” and is generally inadvisable regardless of the phases.
Instead, Phase 3 is a state wherein Singapore will seek to endeavour with a particular degree of precautions, in order to allow economic and social activities to carry on.
“We always have to consider the impact of a possible super-spreader event, and whether the allowed activities will substantially amplify this spread. This is the lens I hope we will use to determine Singapore’s stable state,” said Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
However, leisure travel to places where the Covid-19 situation is similar or better than Singapore’s, may become a reality again in Phase 3.
“Non-exhaustive examples include New Zealand, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand. Of course, this list cannot be static and needs to be regularly reviewed and updated,” he said.
Meanwhile, some experts argued that science and medicine should be taken into consideration during Phase 3, with the bigger picture a necessity in the long run.
“There has to be a balance between health risks and that of social isolation versus the benefits of preventing transmission of infection. Personally, I think a lot of people would like larger family gatherings to be allowed, and the risks could be mitigated with effective contact tracing,” said Professor Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia-Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection.
And seeing how live music during worship services has been allowed to continue, Phase 3 may yet see the return of concerts, theatres and other events.
“If these go off well, then perhaps that can be expanded to concerts and the theatre. Cinemas and religious worship services have opened to progressively larger crowds without any problems reported, so hopefully the same will be extended to concerts, theatres and sporting events.”
Previous Phases
During Phase 1, many manufacturing and production facilities, as well as services, were allowed to resume operations.
Schools were also allowed to reopen.
It was predicted to last for 4 to 6 weeks.
And on 19 June, Singapore moved into Phase 2, after a series of generally promising results.
More businesses, including physical retail outlets, dine-in outlets were allowed to re-open.
From 13 July onwards, cinemas were also given permission to resume their services.
Since then, we’ve had further easing of restrictions, such as doubling the number of people at weddings and the lifting of border restrictions to visitors from Australia and Vietnam. This has naturally prompted many to wonder whether Singapore has actually unofficially entered Phase 3.
Well, as we now know, it hasn’t.
Nevertheless, we can take solace in the fact that if anything else…
Things seem to be progressing at a stable and encouraging pace.
And though things could undoubtedly move quicker…
I think in the end, what really matters is the permanency of the notion…
And not short-lived joy as other nations have experienced in recent times.
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