Grace Fu: Need for enforcement and to establish social norms in public hygiene

A janitor cleaning up litter after a New Year countdown party on Jan 1, 2011. While enforcement is still important to take litterbugs to task, there is also a need to "establish values and social norms" in public hygiene, said Second Minister fo
A janitor cleaning up litter after a New Year countdown party on Jan 1, 2011. While enforcement is still important to take litterbugs to task, there is also a need to "establish values and social norms" in public hygiene, said Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) Grace Fu on Saturday, June 21, 2014. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - While enforcement is still important to take litterbugs to task, there is also a need to "establish values and social norms" in public hygiene, said Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) Grace Fu on Saturday.

She was speaking to reporters after her ministry's focus group discussion with 63 participants on how best to keep Singapore clean.

It is part of MEWR's public consultation efforts for the revision of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint by year end. Unveiled in 2009, the blueprint serves as a guide for the country's sustainable development strategies until 2030.

Suggestions raised included expanding the scale of a "No Cleaners Day" to encompass more areas and starting a voluntary enforcement scheme in communities to further enforce cleanliness.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, Ms Fu also said that she has "no visibility" on whether the dengue vaccine from drug company Sanofi Pasteur will be available in Singapore by year's end. More than 7,200 people have been infected with dengue so far this year, with one death.

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