At long last, we’ve reached the highly-coveted milestone.
One that, for lack of a better-fitting phrase, is required for us to move ahead as one nation, one Singapore.
Now lest you’re unaware, it was previously declared that to “officially” move on to Phase 3, TraceTogether usage in the nation has to reach 70%.
And I’m proud to announce that we’ve finally reached that benchmark.
Around 70 per cent of Singapore residents are now using the national contact tracing programme TraceTogether (TT).
Which means that the carefully-crafted plan to move on with Phase 3 on 28 December has truly hit the mark…
And with a plethora of days to spare too.
TraceTogether Programme Has Finally Reached 70% Usage in S’pore
Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative Vivian Balakrishnan has announced that as at Monday (21 December 2020), 70 per cent of residents in Singapore are either using the TraceTogether app or the TT token.
“We’ve gone past the 70 per cent participation rate in TraceTogether. There have been more than two million people who have downloaded the app and have registered and are using it,” he told reporters.
He has also professed his gratitude for the nation’s cooperation and trust.
“In addition, since Sept 14 when we started the distribution of the TraceTogether tokens, we have distributed so far about 1.75 million tokens. So that’s a significant number and I’m very grateful for the trust and confidence of Singaporeans.”
However, it should be noted that in contrast to an earlier revelation, TraceTogether-only options will not be implemented at locations such as cinemas or malls just yet.
Instead, the move will only materialise when everyone has either collected the TT token or procured the app.
Currently, SafeEntry is being instituted at all public places, but it will be scrapped in favour of the TraceTogether app or token when the new rule commences.
The app comes with a function that scans SafeEntry QR codes, while the tokens support a QR code with a similar function.
Lest you’ve forgotten, the TraceTogether app and token work by exchanging short-distance Bluetooth signals between devices – to detect other users who are in close proximity.
To know more about TraceTogether, watch this video to the end (and also subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos, please!):
One Of The Requirements
On 20 October 2020, Education Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the 70 per cent target was just one of the requirements before Singapore could proceed to the third phase.
Other conditions include safe management compliance, and adequate testing capabilities.
Both have reportedly since been met – with businesses and members of the public cooperating with safe management measures, and MOH ramping up Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test capacity to over 50,000 tests a day.
On 14 December 2020, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that Singapore will be entering phase 3 on 28 December – despite the notion that TraceTogether usage was purportedly just 65% at the time.
Apparently, they had projected the figure to hit 70% by the end of the year – an expectation that allowed them to give the go-ahead. And as we now know, it has certainly come true, several days ahead of expectancy.
Phase 3
in Phase 3, social gatherings of up to eight people will be permitted in public.
Households can also receive up to eight visitors.
Capacity restrictions in public places will also be eased, with live performances in the Arts and Culture sector allowed to continue.
Meanwhile, TraceTogether-only SafeEntry is set to be implemented in early 2021 instead, after everyone has had a chance to collect a token at a Community Club or Centre in their constituency.
Until this is implemented, visitors can still perform SafeEntry check-in via the TraceTogether App, SingPass Mobile, or QR reader apps, or use their identity cards with barcodes such as NRIC, Pioneer or Merdeka Generation cards, and so on.
Featured Image: Ascannio / Shutterstock.com
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