Test, Trace, Vaccinate.
These are three things that we have to do more, and do faster, in the next phase of the fight against COVID-19.
First, we should expect routine, large-scale, fast and simple testing to be part of the new normal. Extensive testing will make us safer, and give us confidence to resume larger scale events.
Second, we will contact trace more widely and aggressively. This will help us save time and shut down clusters more quickly.
Third, we will vaccinate more people, and faster. In the June school holidays we will vaccinate students 12 and above, with priority given to graduating cohorts and special needs students.
Next will come young adults 39 and younger. Among this large group, Singaporeans will have a two-week head start.
Three quarters of those 60 and above have had their jabs. If you are 60 and above but still haven’t been vaccinated, please do it soon as possible. You needn’t register or book beforehand. Just turn up at any Vaccination Centre to get your jab. If you are not mobile, call the Silver Generation Office for assistance.
With our accelerated programme, provided vaccine supplies come in as planned, everyone who is eligible should be able to get at least their first jab by National Day.
In the new normal, we will keep our community safe, while reopening progressively and positioning ourselves for the future. We will not allow COVID-19 to dominate our lives, but learn to carry on with the virus in our midst.
Infected persons may slip through from time to time, but as long as our population is mostly vaccinated, we should be able to trace, isolate, and treat cases that pop up, and prevent a severe and disastrous outbreak.
Countries that are united, disciplined and put in place sensible safeguards, will be able to reopen their economies, reconnect with the world, grow and prosper. Singapore will be among these countries. – LHL
(MCI Photo by Fyrol)
