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SINGAPOREAN Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his country may need six months to reach a new normal in terms of easing restrictions and people can resume their normal routines.
“We need at least three months, and maybe as long as six months, to get there,” Lee said.
So far, Singapore has prevented transmission of the virus since last year with masks, contact tracing and closing borders.
The nation of 5.45 million people has reported more than 3,000 daily COVID-19 infections over the past few days, though nearly all of them are asymptomatic or mild. About 83% of the population has also been fully vaccinated.
“Once this spike stabilizes, we may still see spikes in the future, especially if new variants emerge. We may have to hit the brakes again if cases grow too fast, to protect our healthcare system and healthcare workers,” Lee said.
Singapore recently reimposes coronavirus restrictions to buy time to prepare to live with the disease. [sources/photo special]
