RECOVERING from the social and economic impact of Covid-19 and the careful reopening of the economy have been priorities for governments across the globe. Here in Singapore, to reduce the risk of disease transmission, businesses allowed to resume operations must use the SafeEntry system to record individuals who enter and exit public places. The peak of the crisis also saw the launch of TraceTogether and ongoing innovations to facilitate contact-tracing efforts.

Despite its widespread economic and humanitarian impact, Covid-19 has accelerated innovation and digital transformation in the public sector as demonstrated by the above examples, where organisations have harnessed the power of transformative technologies to respond to and meet the needs of its citizens, businesses and employees.

More importantly, the pandemic has heightened people's awareness of the role of public agencies to support citizens through a crisis, enable economic recovery and change the way citizens and employees live and work.