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Timing, scope of reopening being reviewed by task force: Minister

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Emergence of major new cluster in Bukit Merah may put easing of restrictions on hold

The multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19 is reviewing the timing and scope of the second stage of the economy's reopening, in the light of the emergence of a major cluster at Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre and other new cases, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said yesterday.

In posts on Instagram and Facebook, Mr Wong noted that Singapore is now in the first stage of its reopening following the phase two (heightened alert) restrictions, and that further relaxation of the rules was due to take place next Monday, including allowing dining in at eateries.

"Unfortunately, we now have new cases breaking out and a major new cluster in Bukit Merah. Given these developments, we are evaluating the timing and scope of the next stage of reopening.

"The multi-ministry task force is studying the situation carefully with public health experts and will provide further updates soon," said Mr Wong, who is co-chairman of the task force, in his posts.

He also noted that the situation in Bukit Merah is particularly worrying, as cases are emerging not only in the market and the hawker centre, but also in the vicinity.

"Day by day, we are seeing (that) the number of unlinked cases - the cryptic cases in the community - is likely to be rising too," he noted.

Mr Wong acknowledged this is a difficult period for everyone in Singapore.

"I want to assure all of you that we are doing our very best to control the infection, and we want to ensure that we do not have another flare-up before we reach sufficiently high levels of vaccination in our community."

The closure of Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre was extended to June 26 on Tuesday.

Yesterday, 14 more cases were linked to the cluster, taking the total number of cases in the cluster to 39.

Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said the spread of Covid-19 in an open-air environment such as Bukit Merah hawker centre is alarming.

"In terms of outdoor dining and preparation of food, it doesn't get better than a hawker centre, yet we succumbed to many cases," he noted.

This means that there could be risks if Singapore returns fully to dining in, including in air-conditioned settings, he said.

Dr Leong believes dining in may have to be put on hold unless the country is prepared to take drastic, large-scale measures, such as requiring all residents to go through antigen rapid tests (ARTs) once every few days, or setting up ART and Covid-19 breathalyser systems at all malls and food centres.

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But Professor Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia-Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, believes that Singapore should continue with its reopening plans.

"The numbers remain low and the rationale for lockdowns has always been to protect the healthcare system," he said. "The healthcare system in Singapore is well protected, and the high rate of vaccination has ensured that the number of ill patients remains relatively low despite the large number of elderly cleaners infected."

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