Singaporeans concerned but not letting variant dictate their lives

A day after product marketeer Mervelle Lek booked a flight to London, the World Health Organisation declared Omicron a "variant of concern".

Britain subsequently tightened its rules to require arrivals from all countries to self-isolate while waiting for test results, and to mandate masks in retail settings.

Ms Lek, 27, went ahead with her trip from Nov 30 to Dec 6.

"There were definitely some fears because Omicron was so new and no one knew anything about it," she said. "But they didn't say it was deadlier so I didn't want to prematurely freak out. I decided I would still proceed with my plans, but just be extra careful and keep a close watch on the news as we learn more about the variant."

Omicron has been quick to spread to nearly 80 countries, and while not much has changed for most Singaporeans who spoke to Insight, they are abiding by existing Covid-19 protocols. Some are also taking extra steps such as testing themselves regularly.

With many people having a better understanding of the disease and amid widespread vaccination, the perceived risks of Covid-19 have fallen, said economist Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Singaporeans are also much more likely to know of people who have survived Covid-19 with mild symptoms, he added. As a result, there will naturally be less public support for heavy restrictions, said Associate Professor Theseira.

"At the start of the pandemic, people voluntarily stopped going out and gathering in groups, even before the Government imposed restrictions, as many were worried then that catching Covid-19 was a death sentence."

The situation is different today, judging by the crowds in malls and elsewhere, he said. "Many simply follow the necessary safe management measures, but do not worry too much beyond that," he added.

Prof Theseira said he, too, would not be doing more beyond what is directed by the Government - nor would his elderly mother.

"It is true that she is vulnerable, but she is vaccinated, has received her booster, and her mental and social health depends strongly on her being able to live her life as she wishes, including regularly going to the market, going out for meals, and so on," he explained.

Others, such as Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases, also said nothing much has changed.

"I am not worried because I am triply vaccinated and I have faith in my behaviours to avoid the disease, and faith in the vaccine to prevent severe disease should I get Covid-19," he added. He will return to Singapore from Geneva over the weekend.

There is no need to take special precautions with Omicron, said Prof Fisher, adding that it is the same drill: Vaccinate and practise safe distancing, mask wearing and proper personal hygiene.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said it was important for people to keep exercising personal responsibility. This means complying with safe management measures and getting into the habit of self-testing.

Technology professional Lim Wui Liang, 42, agreed with the need for regular testing, saying he has done so a few times after getting a runny nose, "just to be sure".

He cancelled a trip to Sydney with his wife and son after Australia imposed a 72-hour quarantine on all arrivals. "We decided it wasn't worth it, spending three days cooped up in a hotel room."

Research analyst Daniel Lim, 28, has gone to the extent of asking people to take a quick antigen rapid test before visiting him. He said that Omicron has also deterred him from visiting crowded places, while encouraging him to continue taking personal precautions seriously.

But he expressed discomfort with what he felt were "ever expanding" vaccination-differentiated measures.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that one's status as "fully vaccinated" after taking two mRNA jabs - or three Sinovac or Sinopharm doses - would lapse unless a booster shot is also taken, within a period still being mulled over.

"Covid-19 is already making us live with various constraints," said Mr Daniel Lim, who has received two Sinopharm shots and is going for a third next month.

Associate research fellow Tan Ming Hui from the policy studies group at Nanyang Technological University's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies pointed to widespread pandemic fatigue.

"It is understandable that the general public might feel frustrated with prolonged restrictions, and may even disengage themselves from public health messaging," she said.

"It is important for Singapore to continue with consistent and clear communications about the risk of new variants and why safe management measures remain necessary, while also acknowledging the people's hardships and anxiety about an uncertain future.