Singapore Removes Masks Outdoors... "A Step Towards With-Corona"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Singapore will lift the outdoor mask-wearing mandate that has been in place since April 2020.

On the 24th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited a TV speech by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, reporting that Prime Minister Lee said, "Singaporeans no longer need to wear masks outdoors, and from the 29th, we will implement easing measures on the core COVID-19 restrictions."

SCMP also reported that most restrictions on travelers will be lifted, with specific details to be announced at a press conference scheduled for the same evening.

He stated, "This measure is a firm step towards living with COVID-19." This is the first time since April 2020 that the outdoor mask mandate in Singapore has been lifted.

Masks must still be worn in indoor public places, and gatherings are limited to 5 to 10 people.

Prime Minister Lee explained, "The Omicron wave has peaked and is now subsiding," adding, "Many of us have already been exposed to the virus and recovered, strengthening our immunity."

In Singapore, with a population of 5.45 million, the number of infections surpassed 1 million last weekend. Most cases were of the Omicron variant. The highest daily confirmed cases reached over 25,000 earlier this year.

Singapore has vaccinated 92% of its total population, and 71% have received booster shots. SCMP reported, "In most cases, symptoms are mild or nonexistent, and people are recovering on their own," noting, "Nearly 400,000 people were infected over the past 28 days, but currently only 951 are hospitalized."

Regarding the new travel policy, Prime Minister Lee said, "It will help Singapore regain its position as a business and global hub." Neighboring countries Malaysia and Thailand already allow quarantine-free entry for all vaccinated travelers. Singapore permits quarantine-free entry only for travelers from 32 countries who have been vaccinated.

However, he added, "We will prepare psychologically for future difficulties in case a more aggressive and dangerous variant emerges, as Delta did," and said, "If that happens, we may have to reinstate and strengthen restrictions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.