Singapore approves Pfizer vaccine and enters last phase of curbs

Other vaccines are expected to arrive in Singapore "in the coming months," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech on Monday, adding the country will have enough for everyone by the third quarter of next year. Meanwhile, Singapore will further ease restrictions to stem the spread of the virus on Dec. 28, expanding the number of people allowed to gather from five to eight.

The country has set aside more than S$1 billion ($750 million) for vaccines, Lee said during the national address. "We placed multiple bets, to sign advance purchase agreements and make early downpayments for the most promising candidates," including with Moderna and Sinovac Biotech, he said.

Singapore will be one of the first countries to obtain the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Lee said. The drug has already been approved in the U.K. and Canada, and recently gained emergency U.S. authorization, marking a scientific sprint that could eventually help bring an end to a pandemic that has killed more than 1 million people worldwide.

Lee said first priority will be given to those who are at greatest risk: health care workers and front-line personnel, as well as the elderly and vulnerable. The government has also accepted the recommendation by a committee of doctors and experts to vaccinate the entire adult population, though for this to be made voluntary, and will make vaccinations free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents.

About a third of the roughly 300,000 migrant workers in Singapore, who account for the vast majority of infections in the country, have not been exposed to the virus and may get vaccinated later too, officials said at a briefing, although they did not elaborate on the timeline for this.

The vaccination regime submitted by Pfizer-BioNTech requires two doses of vaccine to be administered 21 days apart, in individuals aged 16 years old and above, according to a statement by the Health Sciences Authority. Pregnant women, immunocompromised persons and those below 16 should not receive this vaccine as the safety and efficacy data for these people is not available yet.

With the number of reported daily infections in the community at or near zero in the city-state of 5.7 million people, the prime minister also said authorities will ease capacity limits in public places like malls and attractions and at places of worship under the so-called phase three.

Here are extra details of easing measures under this phase:

 

- For malls and large standalone stores, the capacity limit will be eased from 10 square metres per person to 8 square metres per person

- Attractions may apply to increase operating capacity from 50% to up to 65%

- All religious organizations can increase their capacity for congregational and other worship services to up to 250 persons

- The government will start a pilot scheme in the first quarter with some migrant worker dormitories to allow the laborers to access the community once a month, subject to some rules including the wearing of contact tracing tokens

 

"Please understand that even as we enter phase three, the battle is far from won," the prime minister said. "The covid-19 virus has not been eradicated."

The government has previously said that in phase three, Singapore could gradually see more travel resume while restrictions such as mask wearing and safe distancing will remain in place.

In the early months of the pandemic, Singapore in April imposed a two-month partial lockdown. Since then, the country has bolstered its treatment and testing capacity. Last month, it said it will make coronavirus tests available to anyone who needs one.

Even with low rates of infection, the task of resuming certain activities in Singapore's tourism-dependent economy has proved difficult. After suspending a highly anticipated air travel bubble with Hong Kong, the city-state said over the weekend it will be tightening border measures for travelers from there given the deteriorating outbreak situation. Last week, a covid-19 scare aboard a cruise ship prompted by an incorrect positive diagnosis forced an early end to an ongoing trip.