TO prepare for reopening, businesses can encourage and facilitate all medically-eligibly employees to get vaccinated; integrate the use of Antigen Rapid Test (ART) self-tests into work processes; and strengthen operational resilience with flexible work arrangements and business continuity plans said Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mr Gan said the new normal could see practically all social and workplace restrictions lifted - albeit with some critical measures, such as mask-wearing and precautions for large events, still in place.

"This means that domestically, infected cases will create much less disruption than they do today, and our businesses can largely return to normal operations. For the majority of cases, businesses will not have to shut down their premises for deep cleaning, and we need not commit huge resources towards contact tracing," said Mr Gan.

The government is looking at relaxing border restrictions safely. Many parts of Singapore's economy requires a steady flow of people - both workers and visitors - in and out of the country, he noted.

"As our vaccination coverage increases, and the majority of residents here are protected against Covid-19, we will also progressively facilitate international travel with countries that have managed Covid-19 well, and allow fully vaccinated persons to travel and to do business more freely," he said.

"This is a critical move that will allow us to reassert Singapore's position as a business, travel and talent hub."

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that the last one-and-a-half years has been a "difficult ride" for businesses, especially those that are more affected by the tightening of safe management measures, such as food & beverage, retail, sports and gyms, and performance arts.

That being said, many businesses have adapted their responses, whether via the leveraging of online platforms or virtual classes, he said.

To support businesses, eight Budgets (including the one to be debated) have been delivered, and schemes such as the Jobs Support Scheme, Jobs Growth initiative, rental relief and tax rebates have been introduced. And to help businesses transform, the Emerging Stronger Taskforce has formed nine Alliances for Action as a new model of private-public partnership to help businesses move quickly and bounce back stronger.

Mr Gan noted that in the new normal, Singapore will likely be one of the highest vaccinated countries in the world.

"We will be able to regain strong air and maritime connectivity to a large number of countries, while ensuring that our healthcare system is well-functioning and not overstretched by Covid-19 cases. This will make us one of the best places to work and live, in the region and across the world," he said.

He also noted that businesses have continued to show confidence in Singapore during the pandemic. Investors committed S$17.2 billion in investment in 2020, the highest in 12 years. Most recently, the city-state has attractive significant investments from major biomedical and electronics companies, such as Sanofi in April, BioNTech in May, and GlobalFoundries in June.

Read more:

• Vaccinated persons may dine in, travel without 14-day SHN in next phases of reopening 

• ‘200 cases a day may not be unusual’ as Singapore moves to an endemic Covid-19: Ong Ye Kung

• Programmes available for job-seekers after Covid-related temp roles: Tan See Leng