Singapore reported more Covid-19 infections among travelers from overseas than local cases for the first time in nearly half a year, testing the country’s resolve to keep its borders open amid the spread of the Omicron variant around the world.
According to data released by the health ministry, 260 imported cases were registered as of noon on January 1, compared to 187 community infections. The last time Covid-19 cases among travelers surpassed local infections was on July 12.
While Singapore has chosen to freeze ticket sales through its vaccinated travel lanes until the end of January, several countries, including Omicron hotspots such as the UK and US, are in business to maintain quarantine-free travel for vaccinated people. The Centre’s decision is being rapidly examined. Other countries, including Thailand, barred quarantine-free entry to prevent the spread of the new variant.
So far, city-state officials have also chosen to tighten testing requirements for visitors and suspend other travel initiatives, while heeding strict home virus measures, as local clusters of the Omicron variant emerge. Huh.
Singapore is also dependent on further vaccination to protect against a potential new wave that already has one of the most vaccinated populations in the world. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said in a Facebook post on Sunday that nearly 20,000 children have received their first shots since the vaccination campaign began for them on December 27.
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