Wednesday, April 28, 2021

REACH 220 - Views on Singapore and HK travel bubble (SK)

28 Apr 2021 (11am - 7pm)

 

REACH

[9:51 am, 28/04/2021] +REACH: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! ��

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[9:59 am, 28/04/2021] +REACH: �� Topic ��

The much-anticipated air travel bubble to allow quarantine-free travel between Singapore and Hong Kong is set to take off on May 26 - six months after its initial planned launch.

�� Q: What are your views on the air travel bubble and the measures in place to ensure safe travelling for Singaporeans?

Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Monday (April 26) that the travel bubble will have a cautious start. There will be one flight a day in each direction, capped at 200 passengers on each flight for the first two weeks.

Rules for travel will also be tightened. Travellers must have remained in either Singapore or Hong Kong in the 14 days prior to departure, and the 14-day period must exclude any time spent in quarantine or under stay-home notice arising from their last return to Singapore or Hong Kong from overseas.

In addition, they must now download and install Hong Kong’s LeaveHomeSafe app on their mobile devices prior to leaving Singapore for Hong Kong.

�� https://str.sg/JFs7

�� https://str.sg/JFng

�� https://str.sg/JFnM

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[10:05 am, 28/04/2021] +Rama: It will fluctuate opening and being suspended due to uncertain situation on the pandemic.  Economic growth will be greatly affected.

[10:07 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: Bubble travel is good for economics travel. 

hope ppls will keep to the smm else bubble burst....

[10:07 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Am glad the ToS will start from 1-June. In time for travel bubble

[10:07 am, 28/04/2021] +Valli: Imported cases will rise, and any slip up from these cases, will result in community cases going up.

[10:15 am, 28/04/2021] +Girl waving: in case bubble burst again (1 week moving average more than 5 cases), authorities should continue tovallow flights to continue for vaccinated passengers only. risk of vaccinated passengers catching covid is low. in that way airlines do not have to incur the admin cost of flights cancellation and atb flights can continue for vaccinated passengers. just impose testing as a safeguard for these passengers when coming back.

[10:17 am, 28/04/2021] +Girl waving: as an addition safeguard in case covid situation really blows out of control in Hong Kong, can increase to 20~30 cases moving average for vaccinated passengers

[10:17 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Talking about mobile app, gov tech got to learn from Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Their mobile app UI are good

[10:17 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Hong Kong publicity of their gov eprocess, can be learn by Singapore gov.

[10:17 am, 28/04/2021] +Leonard Lau: Let’s take every step cautiously while we tinker to bring the success story  to other travel sector .

Ultimately for economic sake  , we need Travel for Trade and other business .

[10:18 am, 28/04/2021] +Leonard Lau: Any sample to show here

[10:19 am, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: For HK-SG travel bubble my view is that it’s high time we carry it out. I expect hiccups and the bubble might get suspended due to the moving average infection rates. So I don’t feel any fear.

I’m actually more worried about the current unlinked and undetected cases lurking in dorms and community.

[10:22 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Compare HK And our Tracetogether https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.gov.ogcio.leavehomesafe

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg.gov.tech.bluetrace

[10:22 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: Wondering on the flight.. How close are ppls seating together.. Got smm safe distancing seating?

[10:22 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Tracetogether app never even say can scan SafeEntry using the app

[10:23 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Heard flights no need SMM?

[10:23 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: The photos sample are so blur.

[10:24 am, 28/04/2021] +An fan: Talking about COVID-19, I think Taiwan is much safer than Hong Kong.  When can we have travel bubble with Taiwan?

[10:24 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Ya lor

[10:24 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Maybe is taiwan dont want us

[10:24 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: And no good on Sg, for the first bubble is with taiwan

[10:24 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: Huh..assuming all ppls are vaccinated n free of virus.

What if suay.. It takes only 1 undetected person... Or inconsiderate person to ah choo without covering mouth and there is no smm in the flight...

Like that.... All kana... Look scary

[10:25 am, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: All kana, all quarantine ma

[10:25 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: News stating looking at it.. Alr submit

[10:25 am, 28/04/2021] +Rama: is the centre seat in a three seat configuration closed?

[10:25 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: All jialat loh..

[10:26 am, 28/04/2021] +Leonard Lau: Very little business travel between SG and Taiwan in recent years .. I doubt this will be a priority .

[10:26 am, 28/04/2021] +XaniceAfcai: They shd cluster by family then another family another distance away etc.. Imagine no smm.. A strange sitting next to u....

[10:47 am, 28/04/2021] +Valli: Side Track

Can the authorities consider about having Mobile Swabbing Bus for testing of essential workers .

Instead of workers going to a dedicated Ctr where I observe crowding,

Can the swabbing team actually go the companies to get the testing done.

With the advance technology , I think this is possible.

 

[0:09 pm, 28/04/2021] ☸️  Danny :

1. Travellers between the 2 places must be vaccinated with 2 doses?

2. Travellers are controlled or allow to freely move around?

3. Travellers must wear mask and maintain safe distancing?

 

[0:10 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

4. Travellers are tested before entry and departure?

 

[0:13 pm, 28/04/2021] +Rama: Is the digital vaccination cert details ready for input in the singpas?

[0:14 pm, 28/04/2021] +Rama: If so, can it be used for the June travel bubble flights!?

 

[0:14 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

5. Can we ramp up our vaccination rate?

We are now only at 10% compare to Israel at 55% to 60%.

The higher proportion of vaccination, the safer we are.

 

[0:16 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Steps need to be taken to open up and this is a cautious approach to do that.  Not sure why travellers don't need to be vaccinated though - why is that?

 

[0:16 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny : https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEPEftEmTcICgJJKCOWH1KkQqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow9Lf0CjCm5aIDMKum_wY?hl=en-SG&gl=SG&ceid=SG%3Aen

Israel behave like pre-covid after mass vaccination.

If Israel has beaten the covid pandemic - then we  also can.

 

[0:16 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Vaccinated people in the US can now go outdoors without a mask most of the time

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/stunning-progress-covid-19-biden-celebrates-easing-mask-rules-14705818

 

[0:16 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

I think even though we are safe when we reach herd immunity - we still need to put on masks.

Because new mutants are there and don't know enough it is safe to remove masks.

 

[0:17 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: It would be much better if travellers had been vaccinated unless given medical reason not to.

 

[0:17 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

But vaccination put us in good stead - and ensure when we open up - our community are protected.

 

[0:18 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Is Google spreading misinformation? https://news.google.com/covid19/map?hl=en-SG&state=7&gl=SG&ceid=SG%3Aen&mid=%2Fm%2F06t2t

 

[0:18 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

US study reveal vaccination can protect infection but also prevent onward transmission.

 

[0:19 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: They are saying we are 15% fully vaccinated and 24% first dose. Where do you see we are only 10%?

[0:20 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: You don't need to be vaccinated to fly.

 

[0:20 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Don't know which data is correct.

Can't find our MOH data.

 

[0:20 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Seems there is not a requirement to be vaccinated, only for HK document holders.

[0:21 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: ok, why did you post that we are only at 10% then? No offence, but that's the sort of misinformation we are trying to prevent.

 

[0:22 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Because the information I got also publish Israel data - for comparison.

 

[0:22 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Excellent suggestion

[0:23 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: ok, so when posting stats, please include the source. Otherwise you might be misremembering and also we can then validate.

 

[0:23 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

The source say pharmaceutical technology that published worldwide data.

 

[0:24 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

See the attached screenshot.

 

[0:24 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Vaccination tracker worldwide.

 

 

[0:26 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just asking you post a link to the source. Maybe they are out of date. Google is a very reliable source for this sort of thing. Google clearly shows all Vaccination data from around the world and I'm sure the Singapore data provided to them is accurate. SG has done an excellent job vaccinating citizens, and continues to do so. You posting that we are only at 10% undermines that good work if it not correct.

 

[0:27 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

I don't disagree if Google is more updated.

In fact I will be happier if Singapore vaccination rate go up.

 

[0:28 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: That's exactly what they are doing already:

 

[0:29 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

My question is why not include vaccination for those who are traveling between Singapore and hongkong.

 

[0:29 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes, on that we agree 100%

[0:36 pm, 28/04/2021] +Valli: Vaccination should be made compulsory for all travellers coming into Singapore ASAP.

[0:36 pm, 28/04/2021] +An fan: This forces those need to travel to take vaccines. It is not right. There are always reasons why someone doesnt take vaccines.

[0:37 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes, if there are medical reasons not to of course

[0:38 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: And also people under 45 may not yet have had the vaccine.

[0:39 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: What happens on arrival? Are people tested again and do they wait in a safe area until the results are known?

 

[0:39 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Thought those who need traveling are given priority to vaccinate?

Thought many countries are exploring vaccination passport?

 

[0:39 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes,  there is the appeal form.

 

[0:40 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Without vaccination and allow to travel freely - will end up like India now.

 

[0:41 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Thought vaccination is the world only solution - for humanity to emerge from the pandemic?

 

[0:42 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: From April 9th, and now cases have trebled. People don't seem to understand exponential growth.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/9/rallies-religious-gatherings-aggravate-indias-worst-covid-surge

 

[0:44 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

1. If travel bubble is allow for unvaccinated travellers - they must be subjected to very stringent control traveling regime - to prevent them from infecting the community.

2. For those vaccinated travelers, less stringent requirements needed - though they still must observe wearing masks and safe distancing measure.

 

[0:46 pm, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Maybe can still  allow those not able to get jab because of their medical condition.

 

[0:46 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

But have to be a strict controlled traveling regime to prevent infecting the community.

 

[0:47 pm, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: But travel bubble is based on both countries have the same infection rates. Meaning very very low

 

[0:47 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Because everyday we are experiencing double digits infection from imported infection.

This is the real facts.

 

[0:49 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Thought both our SIA and scoot got to temporarily ban for 14 days.

 

[0:49 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

By HK.

 

[0:49 pm, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: Think that issue was because of transit passenger

 

[0:50 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Well I still feel safer for vaccinated travelers than non vaccinated among us.

 

[0:51 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Else why the world scramble for vaccination?

 

[0:52 pm, 28/04/2021] +An fan: Vaccines are still experimental. Do not know how effective it is and last for home long.

 

[0:53 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

See Israel, UK and US results.

 

[0:53 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

See India outcomes.

 

[0:53 pm, 28/04/2021] +Caleb: I feel vaccinated got another risk. The person maybe infection asymptomatic and then somehow spread the virus without knowing.

[0:54 pm, 28/04/2021] +An fan: Yeah seems ok. Long term wise no idea.

 

[0:55 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

So are you suggesting all don't vaccinate and follow what India is doing?

 

[0:57 pm, 28/04/2021] +An fan: I just said we couldnt tell yet how effective in the long run. No suggestion.

[0:59 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes, and we do have to look to open up. However low rates aren't no rates. Virus spreads exponentially which means 1 case becomes 10 becomes 100 etc.

[1:07 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: "Anyone who may be on the fence on getting vaccinated could look at this and go, `oh, my goodness, I want to protect myself, but I want to protect, you know, my loved ones and really people I don't even know,"'

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/young-boy-dies-with-covid-19-after-family-travels-to-hawaii-1.5404979

[1:08 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: We know they are effective for at least 6 months, likely 12-18

[1:09 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes,  we will likely all need more vaccinations in a year

[1:10 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ken: https://www.facebook.com/93889432933/posts/10158261252352934/?d=n

Oh my

[1:10 pm, 28/04/2021] +Stella Yip: Is vaccination only open to below age 45 for non essential workers? University students and young working adults in 20s can register for interest liao or not?

[1:11 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: I think anyone can appeal with a good reason why it is important

[1:11 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ken: Still got essential services so likely still need to wait

[1:11 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Under 45 starts in June

[1:12 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ken: For those that need to travel I am aware got quite a lot friend I know already took

[1:20 pm, 28/04/2021] +Stella Yip: Hope G can put more resources to offer earlier start so that the young people who wants to be vaccinated can get it faster. As economy open up, more air bubbles are agreed upon with other countries, the risks goes up. We want our younger friends and family to be safe also leh.

[1:28 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes indeed!

[1:58 pm, 28/04/2021] +REACH: Singapore economy to grow faster than 6% in 2021, but recovery will be more uneven across sectors: MAS

Singapore's economy has almost recovered the output lost during the first half of 2020, although its growth momentum eased in the first quarter of this year.

But while the outlook for Singapore's economy has improved, projected growth outcomes across sectors have become even more lopsided than previously predicted, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) noted in its biannual macroeconomic review released on Wednesday (April 28).

More: https://str.sg/JFLc

[1:59 pm, 28/04/2021] +Rama: We hope for the best

[2:14 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Vaccinated people in the US can now go outdoors without a mask most of the time

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/stunning-progress-covid-19-biden-celebrates-easing-mask-rules-14705818

[2:14 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Storm is brewing

[2:19 pm, 28/04/2021] +Kevin: Can we do the same too?

[2:21 pm, 28/04/2021] +Elena Woo: Confirm one mah.

[2:22 pm, 28/04/2021] +Phyllis: Waaaaah I am waiting for this day to be mask free!

[2:22 pm, 28/04/2021] +Elena Woo: Ya then resurgence of community cases confirm one

[2:22 pm, 28/04/2021] +Phyllis: Wait long long ��

[2:23 pm, 28/04/2021] +Elena Woo: Unless that virus is completely gone, should not be mask free sia. Vaccination is only 95% not 100%

[2:23 pm, 28/04/2021] +Kevin: True lor..

[2:24 pm, 28/04/2021] +Elena Woo: Already some also infected even vaccinated.

[2:26 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: And kena CB v2?

[2:26 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: No thanks bro

[2:32 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ken: Expected ����‍♂

[2:32 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ken: Unlikely… mask wearing likely to be a norm in future

[2:33 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Muricans ��

 

[2:57 pm, 28/04/2021] ☸  Danny : https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/new-hub-at-ntu-will-study-safety-of-novel-foods

NTU research food hub to study the food safety of novel food - our future food source.

 

[3:00 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Very happy to see this development.

1. We can prevent future Disease X - by reducing animal to host transmission - as humanity slaughter less livestock.

2. We can enhance our food security - as we can now produce our own food.

3. We can open up a new tech-agro industry and create new high tech jobs for our people.

 

[3:01 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

This covid pandemic certainly teach humanity a painful lesson - never to abuse nature and animals.

 

[3:07 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

If we succeed with our new food source:-

1. We cut down less forest for crop to feed animals.

2. We slaughter less livestock.

3. We protect our nature and hence protect our global climate.

4. And pandemic disease X will be reduced, as animals can roam their forest without transmitting and jump hosts to human.

 

[4:18 pm, 28/04/2021] +Valli: ��

[3:27 pm, 28/04/2021] +Poh S Lim: Travel bubble is a good start, just hope that the bubble is air-tight so that there is no leakage. Any such failure can have a devastating effect as Singapores vulnerability is its size and small population, but that is also its advantage in that an implementation to slow the spread of a pandemic can be rolled out very quickly since the population is fairly united in support of government compared to most other countries.

[4:06 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Yes and also a good sign to the world that Singapore is No 1 in handling the pandemic and as a result can start to open up its borders very carefully and safely.

 [4:32 pm, 28/04/2021] +REACH: 3 community infections among 23 new Covid-19 cases in S'pore

There were 23 new coronavirus cases confirmed as at Wednesday noon (April 28), taking Singapore's total to 61,086.

More: https://str.sg/JFbo

[4:35 pm, 28/04/2021] +REACH: More than 5,500 workers tested for Covid-19 across dorms, worksites in pre-emptive operation following Westlite Woodlands cluster

More than 5,500 workers have been tested as part of a pre-emptive Covid-19 testing operation across various dorms and worksites from last Friday to Monday (April 23 to 26), said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday.

The authorities are carrying out this precautionary measure following the cluster at Westlite Woodlands Dormitory which has seven cases so far, including five who were reinfected. In all, 26 residents at the dorm had tested positive for Covid-19, though of these cases, two subsequently tested negative while another 11 were assessed to be shedding virus fragments.

More: https://str.sg/JFLV

[5:01 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: https://amp-theage-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.theage.com.au/world/asia/signal-to-the-world-singapore-ready-and-waiting-for-australia-travel-bubble-20210423-p57ls5.html

[5:02 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Interesting article about Singapore opening up. I didn't know there was no quarantine from Australia though!

[5:03 pm, 28/04/2021] +Ben: Is it odd that after weeks of no community cases, we are now seeing them regularly again. Where did they come from?

 

[5:14 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny : https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/china-sinovac-sinopharm-mixing-covid-19-vaccines-booster-14710138                                                                                                       China consider mixing vaccine like Sinovac with other vaccines to improve its efficacy rate.

 

[5:21 pm, 28/04/2021] +Rama: Supporting studies to confirm suitable!.?

 

[5:22 pm, 28/04/2021]   Danny :

Not sure.

UK also mixing AstraZeneca with Pfizer - but no report if their efficacy yet.

 

[5:23 pm, 28/04/2021] +Rama: Hope for the best

[5:33 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html

[5:34 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: how would ppl know if unmask strangers have been vaccinated?

[5:39 pm, 28/04/2021] +Leonard Lau: I head from grapevine that AU was targeting for Jun . Seems like they had slipped..

[6:55 pm, 28/04/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 5 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
[6:56 pm, 28/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Gdnite Megan!
[7:00 pm, 28/04/2021] +REACH: Dear 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 great week ahead. 
Goodnight!
Megan 😊

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