Phased Reopening of the Economy
The government of Singapore has recently decided to partly reopen the economy and loosened the restrictions three weeks before the end of the partial lockdown. Despite the rise in cases due to the outbreak among the foreign workers staying in crowded dormitories, the government says transmission in the local community has dropped and plans a phased reopening of the economy.
Food manufacturers and outlets, barbers and hairdressers as well as laundry shops are among selected businesses that can open doors with strict health measures. The officials reminded citizens not to rush outside to keep the city safe. “It’s a bit messy because we received the notice in such a very short notice, but we are trying to make it work out with all the safety measures,” said Chow Siew Yong, owner of a Chinese medicine hall.
Other Developments in the APAC Region
The President of Philippines, Mr. Rodrigo Duterte has said that the lockdown that has restricted millions of Filipinos to their homes will be eased, but he warned that people who return to work must follow safeguards to avoid more deaths and illnesses. Meanwhile India is set to run limited trains as the country looks at easing its nearly seven-week lockdown. Special trains will depart from selected cities and will run to full capacity. Patients will be allowed to enter stations only if they are asymptomatic and after clear thermal screening.
Furthermore, China reported just one new coronavirus case as the government plans the reopening measures. South Korea reported 27 new cases as health workers work to test thousands of people who visited nightspots in Seoul after detecting dozens of infections related to clubgoers. However, New Zealand took a sigh of relief as there was no any new case reported on Tuesday, which is the third day since early last week that has not added cases.
