Singapore tightens Covid-19 restrictions as cases continue to rise to record numbers in country

The tighter measures in Singapore will last a month and be lifted on Oct 25, 2021. - The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE, Sept 26 (The Straits Times/ANN): Singapore has made work-from-home the default and tightened other rules as it again broke a daily record for infections.

The city state announced 1,650 new infections on Saturday night (Sept 26), almost all locally transmitted among residents, and nearly 1,100 people were hospitalised.

In addition to the renewed work-from-home order, Singapore limited gatherings to two people in restaurants and other social settings, an effort to contain the spread of the virus and preserve hospital capacity for the most severe cases.

Of the cases in the hospital, 65 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and 27 in critical condition in the intensive care units, said the MOH.

As of Friday (Sept 24), 82 percent of the local population has been fully vaccinated, and 84 percent has received at least one dose, according to the ministry

The Straits Times, reported that from Monday (Sept 27), people will be allowed to gather in only groups of two, as Singapore tightens restrictions to slow the exponential rise in Covid-19 cases.

These measures will last a month and will be lifted on Oct 25, with the rules reviewed in two weeks and adjusted, depending on the community situation.

This difficult decision is necessary to prevent the spike in infections from overwhelming the healthcare system, and buy time to scale up home recovery and home care services, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday.

"I know that many Singaporeans and businesses will be disappointed by today's announcement. I want to assure you that Singapore remains committed to reopening," said Mr Gan, who co-chairs the multi-ministerial task force tackling the pandemic.

"The journey may take longer so that we can do so safely. We seek your patience and support while we adjust our response to ride this wave and future waves of infections."

Singapore is activating its plans to be able to deal with 5,000 cases a day, fellow task force member and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said.