A more targeted approach to exigencies from Covid-19 fallout

DEPUTY Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat unveiled supplementary measures, worth S$8 billion, to further support workers and businesses in the hardest-hit sectors, as the government prepares for a post-Covid world.

The move is sensible as it will be a big mistake if the government prematurely yanks emergency supports due to worries about budgets while the economy is still in the throes of the pandemic.

But on Monday, there was a slight difference, perhaps foremost among which is the message that the government's so far remarkable support cannot go on forever, and not every job will be protected.