REACH 159 - Open more green lanes to China, Australia (SK)

30 Oct 2020 (11am - 7pm)

REACH

[11:35 am, 30/10/2020] +: Dear contributors,

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Megan 😊

REACH

[11:37 am, 30/10/2020] +: 📢 Topic 📢

Singapore had earlier announced unilateral green lanes for all forms of travel from Brunei, New Zealand, Vietnam and all other parts of Australia except Victoria. 

China and Victoria have just been added to the list, as they have comprehensive public health surveillance systems and have successfully controlled the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

All  travellers from China and the state of Victoria in Australia will now be able to enter Singapore and not be quarantined from next Friday (Nov 6), if they pass a Covid-19 test on arrival. 

Singapore’s move to unilaterally open its borders to these two places means tourists and travellers flying in can go about their business without serving a stay-home notice if their PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is negative. 

The same applies to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders returning from these two places. 

What are your views on the expansion of green lane countries for all forms of travel?

👉https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/singapore-to-allow-travellers-from-china-australias-victoria-from-nov-6-no

👉https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-opens-borders-to-china-australias-victoria-from-nov-6-what-other-travel-arrangements

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

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Caleb

[11:40 am, 30/10/2020] +: about COVID, I not sure the number of test done to army and BMT. cause they also stay in dorm type.

[11:40 am, 30/10/2020] +: Our gov is like reactive

[11:40 am, 30/10/2020] +: See the Changi airport works caught the virus then start to have proactive 1 time screening and go on a routine testing.

[11:41 am, 30/10/2020] +: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1600281113493050&id=100005335308340&sfnsn=mo

[11:41 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes. Singapore tourism need tourists.

China is our largest tourist group.

Also the biggest spender.

It will boost our air travel, retail, hotel, f&b, taxi.

We have to let them come in.

[11:41 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes. Opening up border will bring up the active cases.

But as long as they don't infect local community, then is ok.

We need to keep the economy going.

But must not overwhelm our hospitals.

Kelvin Tan M L

[11:43 am, 30/10/2020] +: +1

Caleb

[11:44 am, 30/10/2020] +: By Dec 31? cause the last distribution of the token is end of dec.

[11:45 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

[2:06 pm, 24/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Singapore economy is not possible to move into positive territory if we depend on our domestic economy alone.

Because our domestic market of 5.6 million is too small.

And we don't have domestic air travel because our land space is too small.

We need external market, trade, international travel, foreign investment etc - before our economy can move back into positive territory.

I will not be surprised that the parliament will put forward policies on surgical, systematic, safe opening up of our air hub, air travel, access to external market etc - to boost our business and create jobs.

[11:46 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

[2:34 pm, 24/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

In other words, I propose the "ring-fence" approach to air travel, tours, green lanes, MICE etc - that includes testing, safe distancing, segregation of overseas travellers from local community, isolation, quarantine - from airport, transit areas, hotels, tourists spots, f&b, retail, tour bus, convention areas, meeting place, event halls etc - to reboot our economy.

MOT Ong YK call it the "air bubbles" or "air corridors".

I hope parliament can provide more details on this aspect - and how it will help to reboot our external economy and travel - albeit doing it safely and no cross infection into our local community.

YT

[11:47 am, 30/10/2020] +: Our very first cases came from there. Never forget. Hopefully no hasty decisions just because of money. Just saying...

Caleb

[11:47 am, 30/10/2020] +: Is it ALL or selected places?

Many are unsure of this

[11:48 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

[12:26 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

We have to maintain our air hub, air travel through organised travel, group insurance and health test - through bilateral arrangements with countries - to ensure covid will not be imported - but targeted MICE, tourism, retail, f&b can be safely arranged for foreign tours to preserve our air hub, aviation sector and our retail.

Else our air hub may demise.

[3:23 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Our keyword, our strategy is known as  "ring-fence".

Ring-fence tours, ring-fence MICE.

Singapore did very well in ring-fencing our dorms, aged home, hospitals, schools, work place, air transit, malls etc - to prevent infection spreading.

Similarly, we can extend our ring-fence expertise into organised tours and MICE - so as to reboot our air hub and tourism sector.

[2:22 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Also air plane 200 passengers per flight, easy to organise hotel, tour bus, retail visit, tours, f&b and maintain social distancing and covid test.

[5:01 pm, 24/08/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Our tourism and air hub use to generate $25 billion to our economy every year.

Can we target a step up approach to hit $10 billion first.

Then 3 months later to $15 billion.

Another 3 months to $20 billion.

And then finally to $25 billion by using:-

1. "Ring-fence" air bubbles - from each events at each place of activities.

2. "Safe tunneling" air corridors - end to end tunneling approach from airport, to various places like hotels, food, tourists spots and back home.

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[11:51 am, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

My close friend comments:-

Need Chinese travellers to come in and revive hospitality sector.

Caleb

[11:52 am, 30/10/2020] +: When they come in, must have TT app/token with them at all times?

Blue and White Flag Guy

[12:03 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Ya lor is this communicated to them? It's as if gahmen agencies not on the same page with one another

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[12:13 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

People Bank of China for the first time allows digital yuan to be converted to physical yuan.

https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiENLI3RCD6VqX9UxT-QGGf0sqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowief2CjCJ2dUCMKqaxwU?hl=en-SG&gl=SG&ceid=SG%3Aen

[12:13 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. This spell good news to Singapore as offshore yuan currency trading house.

2. We can still maintain our role as yuan currency exchange - while exploring how to integrate with China DCEP digital yuan.

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Fulgrim

[12:19 pm, 30/10/2020] +: How to implement this property is the crux. Already got some staff at Changi kena covid Liao.

[12:20 pm, 30/10/2020] +: The biggest issue however is if other countries will even let their citizens out. So far all are playing safe

[12:20 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Even our own government so far still doesn't encourage pple to go overseas for holiday

[12:22 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hospitals staff are treating covid patients but yet not infected.

Changi airport staff must maintain the same PPE as we open up our doors to more overseas travellers - to thoroughly test the travellers before allowing them in.

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REACH

[12:23 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/covid-19-test-lab-at-changi-airport-slated-to-open-in-the-first-quarter-of-2021

Valli

[12:25 pm, 30/10/2020] +: No matter from which country , 

2 weeks SHN should be the protocol for the time being since Gov is opening up to many countries. 

We cannot be complacent bcos imported cases is on the high side.

[12:28 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/robinsons-to-close-last-2-stores-in-singapore-due-to-weak-demand-13412924                                                             Business is bad for retail - have to close down - and Singaporeans are losing jobs.

Valli

[12:31 pm, 30/10/2020] +: But countries with high cases are not bothered about their people going overseas & infecting others .

anfan

[12:53 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Taiwan has no local case for more than 200 days. Not fair to serve 14 days SHN for Taiwan travellers.

Alvin

[1:04 pm, 30/10/2020] +: We should form green lane with countries that mandate (or at least cultural norm) of wearing masks in public.

I.E Taiwan HK Japan

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:04 pm, 30/10/2020] +: North East Asia basically!

Alvin

[1:08 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Yes

[1:08 pm, 30/10/2020] +: East Asia

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:09 pm, 30/10/2020] +: They da real masked riders lol

Alvin

[1:09 pm, 30/10/2020] +: 🤭

[1:09 pm, 30/10/2020] +: This May pressure other countries to mandate wearing masks to be included into the green lane/air bubble

[1:10 pm, 30/10/2020] +: I believe if everyone in the world wears masks in public the infection rates will fall

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:10 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Actually good idea sia, like a filter!

Spencer

[1:16 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/vUtT6PGQfiKTCBj7R0ZYIg?typeid=158

[1:16 pm, 30/10/2020] +: You need to read that if you really believe Taiwan's "Forever Zero Report"

Stella

[1:17 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Provided not valve mask. If wear valve mask then only protect wearer, does not protect others.

Alvin

[1:20 pm, 30/10/2020] +: I think cloth or surgical masks should be ok

[1:20 pm, 30/10/2020] +: I’ve seen some wearing valve masks in sg also

Stella

[1:21 pm, 30/10/2020] +: yes

[1:21 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

We need to take calculated risk but not reckless.

1. Test thoroughly and make sure not infected.

2. Overseas travellers must wear masks like us.

3. They must adopt safe distancing measures like us.

4. They must scan SafeEntry, tracetogether.

5. So the chances of them infecting us very slim.

Previously, the overseas traveller got infected, don't know, didn't wear masks, and we don't wear masks, they infect us.

Now everyone wear mask and take precautions.

So the chances of overseas travellers infecting local community - quite slim.

Stella

[1:21 pm, 30/10/2020] +: yes, mostly foreigners

[1:21 pm, 30/10/2020] +: when i see valve mask people, i walk far far away

[1:23 pm, 30/10/2020] +: if anyone dont already know why valve mask is a selfish mash during covid 19 times, please google, plenty of articles on this.

Ken

[1:25 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Cause easy to breathe and no one say ban

[1:25 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Only advice to not use it

Stella

[1:26 pm, 30/10/2020] +: ya lor

[1:27 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Bcos G never ban so boh bian, just have to keep a lookout and stay away from valve mask people

CQ

[1:28 pm, 30/10/2020] +: so if you have valve mask meeting valve mask... hur.........

[1:29 pm, 30/10/2020] +: that's why it's mask + social distancing and not just mask alone.

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:29 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Technically on theory nothing will happen lol :3

CQ

[1:30 pm, 30/10/2020] +: yah lor, cos i see fellow valve mask, i siam

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:32 pm, 30/10/2020] +: No lah if valve meet valve, both out no in, so these two won't kena anything while the rest suffer lor

Stella

[1:41 pm, 30/10/2020] +: U wear valve mask??

CQ

[1:41 pm, 30/10/2020] +: no i don't

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:41 pm, 30/10/2020] +: You never see ah 

She say she siam

Stella

[1:41 pm, 30/10/2020] +: TQ

CQ

[1:42 pm, 30/10/2020] +: i didn't realise it's a one-way valve, i've always thought it was a two-way free flow of air and whatever droplets, so that's why i thought it was totally useless. i only learnt today that it's really a selfish mask!

Ken

[1:44 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Haha.. oh well.. people are selfish 🤷🏻‍♂️

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:45 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Fishmongers I say, they sell fish!!

CQ

[1:46 pm, 30/10/2020] +: actually Lazada and Wish are also starting to sell thinner masks for summer, cos "easier to breathe". it's really following the letter of the law but not the spirit lor

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:46 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Anyways it's now pretty much up to those who know and eventually gahmen to once again make it clear that efficacy of the mask is superr important, and we cannot sacrifice it for say easy breathing or more comfort, etc

CQ

[1:48 pm, 30/10/2020] +: but you also can't quite control if people want to buy online, and even if you specify the thickness, it's not like you can go around checking how thick the masks really are....

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:48 pm, 30/10/2020] +: At least make the effort to educate, maybe some really don't know, doesn't mean they're totally selfish

CQ

[1:49 pm, 30/10/2020] +: yah that's true...

Stella

[1:50 pm, 30/10/2020] +: who should make effort to educate?

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:50 pm, 30/10/2020] +: People who know about this (i.e. u) and eventually gahmen since there's no word from them

Ken

[1:50 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Lol haven’t see bubble tea mask? 🤣🤣

CQ

[1:51 pm, 30/10/2020] +: what bubble tea mask????

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:51 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Don't tell me got straw sticking out :3

Ken

[1:51 pm, 30/10/2020] +: 🤣🤣🤣

Stella

[1:51 pm, 30/10/2020] +: aiyah i tot PT volunteering 🤭

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:52 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Since when?

Stella

[1:52 pm, 30/10/2020] +: wah this is good

CQ

[1:52 pm, 30/10/2020] +: OH MY GOSH!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Stella

[1:53 pm, 30/10/2020] +: when u push for it

Blue and White Flag Guy

[1:53 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Honestly it shouldn't be our responsibility if MOH doesn't even say anything to begin with 

Later another Nimama case

CQ

[2:00 pm, 30/10/2020] +: i do take the effort to tell my folks lah, just to make sure they don't buy the valve masks just cos it's cheap and claims to make it easier to breathe. i wouldn't know if they go on to tell their friends or i hope they don't wu dai boh dai keep hanging out at the coffeeshop or park

Valli

[2:02 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Agree

Stella

[2:03 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://totobobo.com/shop.html

[2:04 pm, 30/10/2020] +: this is filter mask, not valve mask

[2:04 pm, 30/10/2020] +: if old folks dont mind looking a bit less normal, can buy for them

[2:05 pm, 30/10/2020] +: SG product

[2:05 pm, 30/10/2020] +: my friends wear this when they cycle

REACH

[2:07 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Singapore’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.6% in September. The number of retrenchments is expected to hit 9,100 in the third quarter.

https://cna.asia/3mAiAgL

Caleb

[2:16 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Mandatory in mrt?

Blue and White Flag Guy

[2:17 pm, 30/10/2020] +: No, currently still more like "can you please do it?? Pleaseeeeee???" rather than "You must do it"

Caleb

[2:17 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Thought they say public transport is low risk

[2:17 pm, 30/10/2020] +: 🤭

Blue and White Flag Guy

[2:18 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Low risk is low risk but we also know when it becomes high risk 

It's half damage control half truth

Caleb

[2:19 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Mandatory but not compulsory.

Blue and White Flag Guy

[2:20 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Technically the word mandatory isn't that threatening as compared to compulsory 

Could be desensitisation, could be our perception of the word when compared to other synonyms

[2:28 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

My close friend comments:-

Travellers entering singapore should complete watching an educational video regarding sg latest fight covid measures. All travellers must comply accordingly. No excuse for ignorance.

Question is Chinese travellers are tested upon entering singapore. Before the tests results are known, in the mean time, are they free to roam around?

There lies the risks. China itself is bracing for second wave in view of coming cold winter months. How can we be sure to react quickly?

Stella

[2:30 pm, 30/10/2020] +: I thought now got quick result test kits already, so should use those on incoming. Or are those quick result test kits not readily available yet?

[2:32 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Those are not PCR test faster but not so accurate.

Not sure Singapore position on which test we are using.

Boon

[3:19 pm, 30/10/2020] +: There is never a "good time" to say when to open and common sense Prudence and safeguards are important for Sg to sustain its opening of "green lanes". There is a single point of failure though, on the complete reliance of PCR as the only filter of SHN or no-SHN. PCR of the nasopharynx (and we assume this is the PCR) may be really sensitive and effective, but these are also probability-based.   Are there additional (simple) filters in hotels and locations of where these inbound visitors would stay e.g. daily temperature checks? Are hotels briefed on what to do in case there suspected Covid cases happen, and what are the safeguards to mitigate a temptation by businesses not to report suspected cases in case it hits business again?

[3:21 pm, 30/10/2020] +: The announcement of Singapore's unilateral green lanes, if accompanied by common sense prudential safeguards in Singapore, would be comforting. And that economic health is being balanced with care for human health.

REACH

[3:54 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Singapore reports 9 new Covid-19 cases, including 1 in the community and 7 imported.

https://str.sg/JufW

REACH

[4:09 pm, 30/10/2020] +: [Sent by Gov.sg – 30 Oct]

As of 12pm, MOH has preliminarily confirmed 2 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection.

Based on investigations so far, 1 is in the community, and 1 resides in a dormitory.

There are 7 imported cases who had been placed on Stay-Home Notice or isolated upon arrival in Singapore. In total, there are 9 new cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore today.

MOH will share further updates in its press release that will be issued later tonight.

go.gov.sg/moh30octupdate

REACH

[4:13 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/dengue-residents-landed-houses-higher-risk-mosquitos-13414182

[4:20 pm, 30/10/2020] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Wonder why not dispatch more male wolbachia mosquito in the landed estate areas so that aedes female mosquito cannot breed.

Caleb

[4:29 pm, 30/10/2020] +: too large surface area I guess

[4:29 pm, 30/10/2020] +: cant product enough wolbachia mosqutio

Blue and White Flag Guy

[4:31 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Hahaha not enough "woohoo" to produce the males, the irony!

Caleb

[4:43 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Woah

REACH

[5:19 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/quick-build-dorms-7-built-8-more-to-be-ready-by-2021-says-desmond-lee

REACH

[5:58 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/private-hire-cars-to-be-sent-for-regular-inspections-with-new-p2p-framework

REACH

[6:09 pm, 30/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/89000-have-received-covid-19-support-grant-10000-successfully-applied-for-second-round

REACH

[6:45 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Dear Contributors!

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes* ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Megan

Alvin

[6:46 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Gdnite Megan!

Rama

[6:46 pm, 30/10/2020] +: 🤙👌✋🙏👏👍

REACH

[7:01 pm, 30/10/2020] +: Hi REACH Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Have a good weekend and good night!😴

Megan ☺

+ changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group.

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