No need to tighten Covid-19 measures for now but this cannot be ruled out: Lawrence Wong

THERE is no need to tighten safe management measures for now but this cannot be ruled out as more Covid-19 infections are reported, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Stressing the need for vigilance and testing, he announced that all households will receive 10 antigen rapid test kits. Distribution will begin some time next month.

Speaking to reporters after touring a mobile vaccination centre in Nee Soon Central on Monday (Jun 27), Mr Wong said the uptick in the number of infections is driven by the newer BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants.

“We should expect cases to continue to rise,” he said.

While there is no evidence yet that the current infections are more severe, and with hospitals still able to cope with the situation, Singapore should be able to “ride through this wave” without having to tighten existing rules.

But the situation has to be monitored closely, said Mr Wong, who was with Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

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“This includes the infection trajectory over the coming weeks, severity, as well as our hospital situation. And if need be, we will have to make adjustments. For now, we think we don’t need any tightening of measures, we do not have to tap on the brakes. But as we all know, it’s always a highly fluid and dynamic situation,” Mr Wong added.

The tour by the ministers at the mobile vaccination site marked the first day when mobile vaccination teams returned to the heartland. Up to 50 sites have been planned to be set up islandwide to make it easier for seniors to get their jabs.

The first three centres in Yishun, Telok Blangah and Ansar in Chai Chee opened on Monday.

“We need to do our part to ride this wave safely, and vaccinations and boosters remain very effective... And that’s why we are setting up these vaccination teams,” Mr Wong said.

Beyond that, the usual personal precautions should continue to be taken.

“We encourage people to continue to mask up even though it is optional outdoors. If you’re going to a crowded place, please keep your mask on... If you’re not feeling well, please do not go out and have meals with friends.

“And of course, try to test yourself regularly as possible, especially if you know that you have been exposed to someone infected. Or maybe even if you are going to visit someone like a senior, it helps to test yourself beforehand,” Mr Wong added.

On Jun 21, the Health Ministry said the BA.4 and BA.5 variants accounted for about 30 per cent of all virus cases in the past week, up from 17 per cent the week before THE STRAITS TIMES