Crowds return to the streets as Singapore enters phase two of re-opening last Friday.
However, experts urge members of the public to remain cautious as the virus still lurks in the community.
Dean, Professor Teo Yik Ying said, “While it is understandable that people want to return to some degree of normalcy in their lives, the reality is there is a much higher risk of being infected when people mingle in crowds.”
Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases), commented that such crowding “could potentially lead to a rise in community cases in a week or two”.
Prof Teo added that restrictions may have to be reimposed if crowding continues and infection rates increase.
While wearing masks may offer some degree of protection, Prof Teo stressed that interactions should be minimised as much as possible.
“Mask wearing is a poor substitute for safe distancing and staying home unless necessary.
It is important to remember that going out is a privilege that we shouldn’t try to abuse, and mask wearing is what we have to do as a last resort. The first resort must still be to stay home if possible, or to practise safe distancing.”
Globally, a second wave of infection was observed as countries gradually ease and emerge from lockdowns.
Vice Dean (Research), Associate Professor Alex Cook warned that we must not be complacent despite the stabilising outbreak and low mortality rate in Singapore.
“People might think that a bit of transmission is okay as long as it doesn’t threaten the health system. That is not entirely true and is a dangerous train of thought.
If the healthcare system cannot cope with the number of people needing intensive care, then the number of deaths could rise precipitously.
The low number of deaths so far does not mean this is a trivial disease; it just means we are lucky that so many cases were in fit, young men.”
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