Singapore

Working at keeping economy open amid Covid-19 fight

S'pore cannot afford to close borders for extended time even as it tightens curbs

Safe distancing ambassadors in Little India in January. Singapore has reintroduced some measures as a new wave of Covid-19 infections spreads through the community.
Safe distancing ambassadors in Little India in January. Singapore has reintroduced some measures as a new wave of Covid-19 infections spreads through the community. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The departure hall at Changi Airport Terminal 1. From 11.59pm yesterday, the period of quarantine for almost all travellers coming into Singapore, except those from countries with special travel arrangements, has been extended to 21 days. ST PHOTO: K
Shoppers checking in with the TraceTogether app at Paragon mall. With 10 active clusters in the community, Singapore is witnessing its worst outbreak in close to a year. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Shoppers checking in with the TraceTogether app at Paragon mall. With 10 active clusters in the community, Singapore is witnessing its worst outbreak in close to a year.
The departure hall at Changi Airport Terminal 1. From 11.59pm yesterday, the period of quarantine for almost all travellers coming into Singapore, except those from countries with special travel arrangements, has been extended to 21 days. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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As new waves of Covid-19 cases and virulent variants surface, Insight looks at the challenges and trade-offs facing Singapore and other countries

Singapore has reintroduced some safety measures as a new wave of Covid-19 infections spreads through the community, fuelled by new and more contagious variants of the coronavirus, such as the B16172 "double mutant" strain first detected in India.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 08, 2021, with the headline Working at keeping economy open amid Covid-19 fight. Subscribe