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Hidden cases show need for cautious approach to exit circuit breaker: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE — With recent tests showing hidden cases of Covid-19 in the community, Singapore needs to move cautiously in exiting the circuit breaker, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 25).

In a Facebook post on Monday (May 25), Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that just like how other countries had seen a rebound in infections after their lockdowns were lifted, Singapore too should expect a rise in cases when it resumes activities.

In a Facebook post on Monday (May 25), Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that just like how other countries had seen a rebound in infections after their lockdowns were lifted, Singapore too should expect a rise in cases when it resumes activities.

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SINGAPORE — With recent tests showing hidden cases of Covid-19 in the community, Singapore needs to move cautiously in exiting the circuit breaker, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Monday (May 25).

Mr Wong, who is also the co-chair of the multi-ministry task force set up to deal with the virus, said that just like how other countries had seen a rebound in infections after their lockdowns were lifted, Singapore too should expect a rise in cases when it resumes activities.

“All the countries that have beaten the virus to low levels have seen a rebound in cases when they resumed activities — more when they resumed precipitously; less when they proceeded cautiously,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

“We must expect cases to rise in Singapore too when we resume activities...The fact is that there are still hidden cases circulating amongst the general population,” he added.

The Government announced last week that Singapore will adopt a three-phased approach to easing measures after the circuit breaker lifts on June 2.

The first phase will see economic activities which do not pose a high risk of transmission, such as manufacturing, allowed to resume. The second phase will involve the resumption of some activities in small groups.The third phase will allow services that involve significant prolonged close contact, such as spas, to open.

Each phase could last between weeks and several months, said the multi-ministry task force on May 19.

Noting that eight confirmed cases were detected after 16,000 preschool teachers were tested recently, Mr Wong said that there are “bound to be” other undetected asymptomatic cases in the community.

“That's why we have to move cautiously. This means that not everything can re-open at the same time, and tough decisions have to be made on which ones go first,” he added.

His comments came before the Ministry of Health said on Monday night that another three preschool staff members had tested positive, meaning the total number to date is 11.

All 30,000 teaching and non-teaching staff at preschools have to be tested for Covid-19 by June 2 before they reopen.

Mr Wong pointed out that higher transmission risks and the likelihood of more infections will increase each time more face-to-face contact and movement is allowed in the community.

“I know many are disappointed by our cautious approach. We are prioritising both lives and livelihoods,” he said. 

“I hope you appreciate and understand that we are trying our best to resume activities safely for Singaporeans, while keeping infection rates low.”

He added that with a phased re-opening, the Government will have a better control of the overall situation as it would be able to detect and quickly ringfence new cases that emerge.

The Government will concurrently continue with pro-active testing of different segments of the population, he said.

“If all goes well, then we will move to the next phase around the end of June, and resume more activities then.”

As of noon on Monday, the Ministry of Health announced that Singapore had 344 new cases of Covid-19.

The vast majority of the new cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories. Four cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents.

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Covid-19 coronavirus Lawrence Wong circuit breaker

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