What is the threshold for Covid-19 vaccination rates before a near-full reopening is possible and what is the basis for this threshold? This is a Parliamentary question I filed on Monday (21 Jun) for the Minister for Health to answer at the next sitting of Parliament. Several countries like Israel (pictured) with high vaccination rates have started allowing larger gatherings and even lifted outdoor mask mandates. Is this something Singaporeans can look forward to and if so when?
A high vaccination rate is one key to reopening, but not the only one. I also asked if the government could come up with a Covid-19 Risk Index that aggregates indicators like the number of new infections and active cases, hospital capacity, vaccination rate, contact tracing efficiency and testing capacity. This Risk Index can then help policymakers decide whether to ease or tighten safe management measures. Businesses and individuals can also refer to the Index to take appropriate precautions. It would be more objective for everyone to refer to this, than to read about “20 new cases yesterday” and draw a conclusion that our fight against the virus is heading south.
Image credit: Haaretz
