'New virus variants likely behind higher transmission rate; higher-quality masks urged'

THE public should leave home "only for essential activities", the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday, amid climbing Covid-19 cases in the community.

Speaking separately at a briefing by the multi-ministry taskforce tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, Lawrence Wong, one of its three co-chairs, had the same message: "Stay home as much as you can. Stay home and go out only for essential activities."

The latest "stay-home" guidance, which harks back to curbs during the two-month "circuit breaker" or CB in 2020, goes beyond the April 30 advisory urging members of the public to avoid crowds and "stay home where possible".

The MOH has now said: "Given the continued rise in community cases, we must exercise extra caution during this period of heightened alert to minimise potential transmission within the community.

"Hence, we strongly encourage everyone to remain at home, and leave the house only for essential activities. All prevailing safe-management measures should be adhered to."

Ongoing restrictions include smaller social groups and fewer daily household visitors, with the maximum for both activities now capped at two - down from five before.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

Asean Business

Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.

Sign Up

The Business Times asked how the latest measures differ from last year's CB, and why a full CB has not yet been called.

To that, Mr Wong noted the "time lag" between implementing restrictions and observing the impact on virus transmission.

"(In the) meantime, we have to look at the current cases that we have picked up - the unlinked cases - make an assessment of how far it has spread into the community and whether or not whatever we have done is okay, sufficient for now," he said. "And therefore we can just hold the position - or we might even consider further tightening. All right, so all of these possibilities are still open."

He added that those who have no choice but to head out should take additional precautions when leaving their home, such as by wearing higher-quality masks.

The MOH, warning in its statement that "recent clusters suggest a higher level of transmission, likely attributed to new virus variants", also said: "A mask with better protection, such as those with better filtration efficiency, will help to mitigate the increased risks of transmission and infection."

Members of the public are now encouraged to use either surgical masks or reusable masks with at least two layers of fabric, rather than simple cloth coverings. Guidelines on choosing masks will be released by the MOH and Health Sciences Authority.

Singapore requires everyone aged six and up to wear a mask in public, with the nose and mouth covered. Coverings such as neck gaiters or scarves are not considered masks.

Face shields have been allowed under limited circumstances, such as for children up to age 12 and people with certain health conditions.

Since last week, though, schoolteachers have had to use masks instead of face shields in classrooms, after cases popped up in educational settings.

Read more:

• Ministry of Health rubbishes claims of a ‘Singapore variant’ that would cause third Covid wave in India