Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the nation to share updates on the Covid-19 situation in Singapore. His speech was broadcast live on Monday (31 May), where he noted that heightened restrictions will last until 13 June.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong also added that Singapore is on track in bringing the situation under control and restrictions may be eased when there are improvements.
Here's more from his national address.
Vaccination Booking To Open For Students From June 1
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Starting Tuesday (1 June), vaccination bookings will be open for students. In his speech Mr Lee Hsien Loong shared that this is being done to take "full advantage of the June holidays to vaccinate students."
More than 400,000 students will be able to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing– who is part of the multi-ministry task force (MTF)– added that the earliest vaccine slots for students will be available from Thursday (3 June).
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Who is eligible to take the vaccine?
Those who are graduating cohorts for O-, N- and A-Levels and students with special needs will be given priority for the vaccine. The rest of the students aged 12 and up and those in institutions of higher learning will follow after to book their jabs.
Parental consent will also be required for those below 18 years old to get the vaccine. Those below 13 will have to be accompanied by either their parent or a guardian.
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How can students book their vaccination appointments?
Most students can book a vaccination appointment via the National Appointment System for vaccinations. Although, students in ITE and Sped schools will receive instructions directly from their institutions.
Students or the parents and guardians of children under 18 will receive an SMS with a unique link. This will enable them to book appointments at any vaccination centre so that they can have more flexibility to choose the date and venue in June.
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Which vaccines will the get?
Students aged 12 to 17 years will only be given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, since the Moderna jab has not yet been approved for younger children, even though it has claimed 100% efficacy on children.
Meanwhile, those aged 18 and up can receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
It was also clarified that those who are 12 on 1 June this year can get the vaccine. But those who turn 12 only after Tuesday can get the vaccine at a later date.
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Where can they get vaccinated?
Four dedicated MOE vaccination centres will be set up for the vaccination rollout for students. These include centres at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College campuses in Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang and Simei as well as at the Raffles City Convention Centre.
Pregnant Women And Breastfeeding Mums Can Get Vaccinated
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Pregnant women are one of the sub-groups of individuals who are allowed to be vaccinated. They will be able to register and book a vaccination appointment starting on Friday (4 June).
Although, it is still advised that expecting mums discuss the risks and benefits of the vaccine with their doctors so they can make an informed decision on whether they should get the vaccine.
"There is currently no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines may cause harm to pregnant women or their babies," said the multi-ministry task force (MTF).
They also added that it is also safe for breastfeeding women to receive the vaccine. Mums will do not have to suspend breastfeeding when they are vaccinated.
More Updates From PM Lee Hsien Loong's Speech
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During the Mr Lee Hsien Loong speech on Monday, more announcements were made regarding the Covid-19 situation in Singapore.
Here the key announcements that were broadcasted regarding the "new normal":
- DIY Covid-19 tests will be available at pharmacies. Self-administered test kits for Covid-19 will soon be sold over-the-counter at pharmacies.
- Those who are household members of close contacts of Covid-19 cases will be isolated. Once the close contact tests negative for Covid-19, the household member may be removed from isolation.
- Singaporeans should expect to see small outbreaks from time-to-time and will have to learn to live in the world of the "new normal." PM Lee believes that Covid-19 will not disappear and that the virus will be endemic as it continues to spread across the world.
- PM Lee shares that people will eventually get to go about without masks again. He added that Singapore is heading in the right direction but that the nation is still "some ways off" from this.
- Those who feel unwell should also immediately see a doctor even if they have been vaccinated. Mr Lee Hsien Loong also reminded the public in his speech to keep up their efforts and only go out when absolutely necessary.
Lead image source from Facebook / Lee Hsien Loong.
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