The community spread of the B.1.617 Covid-19 variant in Singapore in recent weeks demonstrates that measures to prevent leaks of imported infections may not have been as “air tight” as previously assumed. It just takes one super-spreader entering the community to cause an outbreak. This puts lives of vulnerable persons at risk and has led to tightened social distancing measures, which in turn have taken a toll on livelihoods.
Have infection controls been sufficiently strengthened since to prevent further leaks of the virus into the community?
Currently, incoming travellers on self-isolation or serving SHN at a place of residence typically take private transportation, taxis or private hire cars from the immigration checkpoint to their place of accommodation immediately after their on-arrival Covid-19 PCR test — of which results take at least a day or two. Will this risk infecting the driver, who may unknowingly infect his or her subsequent passengers? Would it not be safer for all travellers serving SHN to have dedicated transport provided to their SHN facility or homes, with drivers decked in full PPE for their protection? I filed some of these questions for the Minister for Transport to answer at the next Parliament sitting.
I am glad the government has expanded its requirement for pre-departure PCR testing (PDT) within 72 hours before departure for Singapore. Malaysia recorded 9,020 new infections and 98 deaths as a result of Covid-19 on Sunday and the country is going into lockdown tomorrow. However, not all individuals arriving from Malaysia via land checkpoints are required to complete a PDT and test negative prior to arrival. Singaporeans and children under 6 are exempted although they are still subject to on-arrival tests and SHN. The reported infections of a 1-year old and 8-month old yesterday show that even babies are vulnerable to Covid-19. While we don’t want to leave any of our fellow citizens behind, it is equally important to protect people in Singapore from community spread of the infection.
I have therefore filed a Parliamentary Question to ask if PDTs can be made mandatory for all individuals of all ages arriving in Singapore from higher-risk countries via air, land and sea entry checkpoints. I acknowledge that there might need to be some exemptions granted. For those cases, I asked how the government will ensure that they are properly isolated from the community until they receive negative PCR test results.
As a country that depends on trade as our lifeblood, long-term border closures are impractical. However, the government should promptly shut out travellers from countries from which there is a very high risk of imported infections. In mid-February 2021, India started seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases. The number of new cases increased from 9,110 on 8 Feb, to 15,388 on 8 Mar, to a whopping 131,368 cases on 8 Apr. Were our embassies and consulates in India and the rest of South Asia monitoring and reporting back these developments on the ground, and did the Covid-19 Multi-Ministry Task Force (MMTF) receive those reports and act on them?
*1. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether travellers arriving into Singapore at all air, land and sea entry points who have yet to receive their COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test results are permitted to take modes of transport where they will be within 2 metres of drivers or other passengers; (b) if so, whether this practice risks community transmission of imported infections; and (c) whether these passengers can instead be provided dedicated transport to a Stay Home Notice dedicated facility with drivers wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
*2. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether pre-departure polymerase chain reaction tests (PDT) can be made mandatory for all individuals of all ages arriving in Singapore from higher-risk countries/regions via air, land and sea entry checkpoints; and (b) how does the Ministry ensure that individuals exempted from PDTs are isolated from the community until they receive negative polymerase chain reaction test results.
*3. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether, prior to 15 March 2021, the COVID-19 Multi-Ministry Task Force (MMTF) has been receiving reports from Singapore’s diplomatic and consular missions in India and other parts of South Asia regarding the surge in COVID-19 cases in that region since February 2021; and (b) what measures are currently in place for Singapore’s overseas missions and intelligence operatives around the world to provide early warnings of impending health concerns that may impact Singapore.
