Singapore: moving beyond zero-COVID

In a bold move that will be closely watched across the region, Singapore is set to drop its implicit target of pursuing zero local COVID-19 cases, with restrictions set to be eased gradually from August. In other words, Singapore will learn to live with the disease. While some restrictions will remain in place, especially for those who have not been vaccinated, the shift in policy will involve accepting a higher level of cases, hospitalisations and deaths from the virus. The aim is to stop the merry-go-round of the past couple of months of tightening and loosening containment measures every time cases rise and fall. The government is also hoping to allow quarantine-free inbound travel, beginning in September. Currently Singapore has some of the tightest border restrictions in the world, which have been weighing heavily on sectors such as tourism and business services. Essential to these plans is achieving widespread vaccination – the city state has already fully vaccinated nearly 55% of its population and aims to hit 80% by September. Other countries currently pursing zero-COVID strategies, such as China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Taiwan, will be keeping a keen eye on Singapore’s progress. Although the slower pace of their vaccine rollouts mean it is likely to be at least a few months until they are in position to follow suit.