Journey through Covid-19

3 June 2020 Where are we now?

2 June, we exited from Circuit Breaker Stay-at-Home measures to Phase 1 of Safe Opening up of Singapore economy. 75% of the economy opens in this phase. Schools reopen too and students are going back to classrooms.

Covid-19 coronavirus infected 35,836 persons making up 0.63% of total population of Singapore. Of this 93.6% are from work permit workers staying in the dormitories. The prevalence rate of this work permit workers was 10.39% of total 323,000. Singapore has flattened the infection curve for these migrant workers but we were still seeing nearly 500 infections on average everyday for past seven days.

The good news was that infection at the community level was 4 each day on average for past seven days. There is much optimism in Singapore. The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 2.38% to 2,611.63 points on 2 June. It is now up 2.03% at 2,664.58 points (10.57 am 3 June).

Buses and MRT trains are back to normal frequencies. Alternate sitting leaving gaps in between seats is longer in force on public transport. It is not practical to institute this. The only protection is that all commuters must wear face masks when riding in buses and MRT trains.

People are not moving around much. The retail sector is not open yet. We cannot dine in eating outlets. Group activities are not allowed like activities in community clubs. Places of worship cannot have congregations except for private worship. The fear of second wave of Covid-19 infections is real and present.

Restrictions on overseas travel are not lifted. We are far from pre-pandemic days. People are resigned to the fact that it will be a long while before lives can get back to normal. Is there one? I asked.

The economic impact on employment has not been fully realised. We will not know until a few months down the road after Singapore economy fully opens.

Until such time, hold tight and stay sane.