Singapore, which for a long time was one of the exemplary fighters with a Pandemic COVID-19, presented a new policy, a fully changing approach to combating coronavirus in this city.
Now Singapore will refer to COVID-19 as well as any other constantly present diseases. The goal to reduce the transmission of the virus to zero is no longer put, writes the Singapore edition of The Straits Times.
The authorities said that the number of cases of infection would not be announced, only hospitalization, severe cases and mortality (as for influenza) will be recorded. Quarantine for traveling is canceled. Like isolation of close contacts of the sick. Testing on COVID-19 and vaccination will be continued. However, Singapore’s authorities explained that vaccination cannot completely stop infection. Its goal is to reduce the number of severe cases, that is, in the same way with influenza vaccinations. At the same time, testing will switch from nasopharynx swabs performed by medical staff, antigen tests and breathing tests, intended for self-use.
Singapore’s authorities will not introduce a new plan immediately. It will begin to apply gradually, given the situation. Including voluntary vaccination, which is the key part of the strategy.
In the presentation of the plan outlined by the Ministers of Health, Finance and Labor (they lead the coronavirus headquarters of Singapore), it says: “18 months have passed since the beginning of the pandemic. Our people are tired of fighting. Everyone is asked: when and how the pandemic end? Bad news in The fact that COVID-19 may never disappear. Good news is that it is possible to live normally and with the presence of a virus. “
“The virus will continue to mutate, and, therefore, survive in society. An example of such a disease is influenza,” the representatives of the Singapore authorities explained. – Every year many people fall into the flu. The overwhelming majority recovering. They do not need hospitalization and minimal medicines or any. But the minority, especially old men and people with chronic diseases, can seriously get sick, some die. “
“We cannot eliminate the virus. But we can turn a pandemic into something much less dangerous as the flu or chickenpox, and live on our own life,” Singapore Ministers explained their new policy. – History has shown that each pandemic itself comes to END. And we urge to collect all the forces so that this end has come faster. “