Singapore expects ‘virtually entire economy’ to reopen by end of June
- Singapore is two weeks into the first of a three-phased easing of coronavirus lockdown measures
- But even as schools and more workplaces reopen, Singaporeans have to prepare for ‘major changes’ to social norms, says the minister for national development
Singapore is on track to lift more restrictions on companies and residents by the end of June, and expects practically the entire economy to reopen in that phase, according to a top minister.
“With the start of phase two, we expect virtually the entire economy to be reopened – shops, F&B, dining, social interactions – but there will be limits on the number of people who can get together,” Lawrence Wong, minister for national development, told Bloomberg TV’s Haslinda Amin on Friday.
Singapore is checking waste water with people’s poo for coronavirus
After being praised by international health experts for its initial response to the virus in the early months of the pandemic, the city state – like many countries – was blindsided by how contagious Covid-19 is. An outbreak of infections in migrant worker dormitories saw Singapore become one of the most infected countries in Asia, with nearly 40,000 recorded total cases of infections as of Thursday.
Wong, who also co-chairs the government task force on fighting the virus, said the country has managed to bring coronavirus infections in the city state “under control” through aggressive testing and strict measures that were imposed on social distancing.
With adequate health care and quarantine capacity, there is more room to allow additional long-term work pass holders to return to the country, he said.
02:52
Migrant workers in Singapore fear job loss after coronavirus quarantine ends
With Singapore imposing border restrictions, only just introducing fast-lane arrangements for business and official travellers with China, many expatriates who are employment pass holders have found themselves stuck outside the city state.
As of end December last year, Singapore had more than 190,000 work pass holders, comprising foreign professionals, managers and executives who earn at least S$3,900 (US$2,800) a month.
“We have ramped up our testing capacity, and we also have more rooms available for quarantine,” according to Wong. “With all of that in place, we do think there is scope for us to be able to allow more long term pass holders – work pass holders who have deep roots in Singapore – to return over a period of time.”
Excitement, nerves as Singapore’s phased reopening begins
While it is unclear how many such workers are stranded outside the city state, dedicated groups have emerged on social media that are closely monitoring changes to travel rules with hopes of returning soon.
Even as the economy reopens with schools and more workplaces gradually reopening, Wong said Singaporeans will have to “be prepared for major changes” in social norms for everything from social distancing to hygiene, work-life and entertainment.
Meanwhile, mass market travel for tourism is still likely to take some time to resume, he said.
Under the second phase of the reopening, more businesses such as retail outlets and gyms are expected to reopen. Households may be able to receive up to five visitors per day while dining at hawker centres and restaurants will also reopen, with tables to be kept at least one meter apart and limited to no more than five persons.
Singapore has announced four separate stimulus packages, taking the nation’s total coronavirus relief to S$92.9 billion, or 19.2 per cent of gross domestic product, as it rolls out support for households and companies that include cash handouts, wage subsidies, rental rebates and tax waivers.
01:12
Half of Singapore’s coronavirus cases show no symptoms, co-head of task force says
There are no any current plans for the device to be mandatory for now, although it is set to be distributed to everyone in the country.
“We will try to start by persuading and explaining to the population why these tools are important,” said Wong. “I think that’s a very important mindset that we want to inculcate rather than to do everything through mandatory rules.”
