VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Singapore’s COVID-19 situation may have started to improve, but the number of community cases could rise again as "circuit breaker" measures are gradually lifted, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong cautioned on Tuesday (May 12). Speaking at a COVID-19 multi-ministry task force press conference, Minister Gan outlined the progress Singapore has made in controlling the infection. With three weeks to Jun 1, when the circuit breaker restrictions are expected to end, measures have "shown promise" in reducing COVID-19 infections locally in the community.

"But we must not be allowed into complacency or let our guards down. As we gradually lift the circuit breaker measures, there is a risk that the community cases may rise again. This has been the experience of many countries which have seen a second wave of infections after relaxing their social distancing measures. Therefore we need to be very carefull, remain vigilant and minimize the risk of any sharp rise in cases or large cluster in the community" Minister Gan said. 

He added that even as the authorities progressively lift some of the tighter measures, other measures will remain, such as safe distancing and safe management at workplaces. Meanwhile, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that the Government will be in a position to consider its next moves to ease some of the circuit breaker measures "if all goes well". 

"So we are now in a good position to plan forward and ease some of the ristriction, open more, allow more workers to resume work beyond the first of June. And then gradually take steps to reopen the economy. As we go about this exercise all of us have to be prepared that new cases maybe well emerge. And thats why we are building up our capacity for faster contact tracing, for more comprehensive large scale testing and with these enablers we will be able to have some convidence in opening the economy and easig the circuit breaker measures" Said Minister Wong

He added that the authorities will look at the evidence over the coming days and "assess the situation carefully". The number of new cases in Singapore has continue to fall. From an average of over 30 new cases daily in Mid-April to 8 new cases in the past weeks. Singapore use the technology to control the spread of the virus where people have to scan their identity cards or scan the SafeEntry QR code with their mobile phones when entering and leaving the building. The time of entry and the particulars of each shopper is captured to help in contract tracing in case of a COVID-19 infection. This is one of the technological solutions authorities have implemented to curb the spread of coronavirus in the community//NK