Take pre-emptive measures to ensure smooth journey to living with endemic virus

DESPITE criticisms that the government has made an abrupt U-turn on social distancing measures after the cluster linked to Jurong Fishery Port surfaced, the rising number of new cases in the past week has shown a temporary ban on dining-in was indeed warranted.

As at July 26, there were over 550 people warded and almost 860 cases linked to the Jurong Fishery Port cluster, with more affected markets reported as the week went by. This cluster is the largest that has formed so far.

The cluster has been a major setback to Singapore's reopening plans. Having battled the pandemic for over one and a half years, Singapore was about to get ready for further loosening of safe management measures until the por…