Reflecting on the period when COVID-19 became a concerning global pandemic, it caused a high number of deaths, economic downturns, and fundamentally altered life in numerous countries after its emergence.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Initial cases of pneumonia were detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The pathogen involved was identified as a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease was named COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) from January 30, 2020, to May 5, 2023.
According to the Communicable Diseases Agency Singapore, the first case of COVID-19 in Singapore was confirmed on January 23, 2020. Like other countries, Singapore has experienced several waves of infection (Alpha, Delta, and Omicron) since the pandemic began.
Among the nations around the world, Singapore stands out as one of the countries that effectively navigated the COVID-19 crisis. The release of The White Paper on Singapore’s Response to COVID-19, as reported by The Straits Times, details the steps that Singapore took in facing the pandemic until it successfully overcame the COVID-19 crisis.
Kept the Healthcare System Resilient
Throughout its COVID-19 response, Singapore maintained a robust healthcare system by engaging the entire network, extending beyond just hospitals. The nation established various tiers of care centers.
Healthcare professionals from both public and private institutions delivered on-site medical assistance at worker dormitories. Hospitals adapted by transforming regular wards into isolation units, while patients with milder symptoms were transferred to community care and recovery facilities.
Well-Executed Nationwide Vaccination Campaign
Singapore executed a successful nationwide vaccination campaign. To ensure the prompt availability of vaccines, the nation entered into advance purchase agreements and made early financial commitments to leading vaccine candidates, such as those developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.
This strategic investment proved beneficial when the Health Sciences Authority authorized these vaccines for use in December 2020. By the end of August 2021, a significant milestone was achieved with 80 percent of the population having received full vaccination.
Ensured Supply Chain Resilience
To ensure the supply chain remained robust, the government took proactive steps to maintain the availability of essential goods. These measures included stockpiling critical items in advance and securing maritime shipping routes.
Additionally, emergency procurement procedures were initiated, and established networks were leveraged to guarantee the import of goods needed for the pandemic response and Singapore's food supply. Ports and land transportation routes remained open to facilitate the continuous movement of goods.
Furthermore, Singapore demonstrated its reliability as a business hub by refraining from imposing any export restrictions.
Supported Businesses, Jobs, and Workers
The pandemic significantly impacted sectors such as construction, retail, food services, and travel-dependent industries. In response, the government implemented temporary support measures, including rental reductions, bridging loan programs, and the postponement of loan payments.
The Jobs Support Scheme played a crucial role in preserving employment by subsidizing a significant portion of workers' wages. This initiative saved approximately 165,000 jobs in the early stages of the pandemic and contributed to lowering the resident unemployment rate in both 2020 and 2021.
Moreover, the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, designed to place job seekers in both short-term and long-term positions, saw a significant uptake of 200,000 placements.
Supporting the Vulnerable
To aid those most at risk, several temporary support programs were implemented during the pandemic. These included initiatives such as the Temporary Relief Fund, the COVID-19 Support Grant, and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme.
Additionally, existing social assistance programs were exercised with greater flexibility. Efforts were undertaken to safeguard vulnerable elderly individuals residing in nursing facilities from the coronavirus.
Recognizing the negative impact on the mental health of residents, particularly isolated older adults and adolescents, support organizations increased their outreach to seniors living alone. Furthermore, a national helpline was established to assist individuals experiencing emotional distress as a result of the pandemic.
Kept Education Going
Singapore was hesitant to close its schools but made preparations in case it became necessary. During the circuit breaker period, from April to June 2020, all educational institutions transitioned their lessons to home-based learning (HBL).
This shift required both educators and students to adapt to remote online instruction. Schools remained open only for students who lacked adequate care arrangements or a suitable home learning environment.
Following the lifting of the circuit breaker in Singapore, home-based learning continued to be integrated into the curriculum. Safe management protocols were implemented to ensure the continuation of national examinations, and curricula were modified accordingly. The implementation of HBL necessitated a rapid provision of personal digital devices to students, a process that would typically have taken several years to complete.
Maintained Effective Communication
Effective communication proved essential in preserving public trust, which significantly facilitated the effective management of the crisis. Information was disseminated through various avenues, including regular press briefings conducted by the multi-ministry task force addressing COVID-19 and a specific Gov.sg WhatsApp channel.
Furthermore, the Government intensified its efforts to combat misinformation, scams, and foreign influence attempts. Correction directives were issued under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act against individuals or entities disseminating false information.
Rallied the Nation
The Government leveraged established collaborations with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to address evolving needs and circumstances on the ground. The robust network of People’s Association grassroots volunteers played a crucial role in distributing masks, encouraging senior citizens to get vaccinated, and delivering essential food supplies to individuals under quarantine.
Volunteer-driven organizations extended support to migrant workers, assembled care packages for healthcare professionals, and distributed pre-owned laptops to families and individuals lacking access to such devices.
Private sector entities also contributed significantly, ranging from providing accommodation for recovered workers to offering their specialized knowledge in cold chain management for vaccine storage. Internally, government agencies whose primary functions were outside the immediate pandemic response took on responsibilities considerably different from their usual mandates, demonstrating a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy.
