Singapore, a compact and highly connected city-state, faced the COVID-19 pandemic with a proactive public health approach. Its dense population and global links initially contributed to rapid virus spread. The government demonstrated a strong commitment to safeguarding public health, adapting measures as the pandemic evolved.
Initial Public Health Response
Singapore swiftly implemented early actions to contain the virus. Border controls, including temperature screening and travel restrictions, reduced imported cases. Contact tracing, overseen by the Ministry of Health (MOH), involved interviews to map activities and identify close contacts.
Digital tools augmented these efforts, with TraceTogether, a mobile application using Bluetooth to identify individuals within two meters of a patient for at least 30 minutes. This technology aimed to speed up contact tracing, reducing identification and isolation time from four days to less than two. Widespread testing and strict isolation protocols for confirmed cases, plus quarantines for close contacts, broke transmission chains.
Implementation of Safe Management Measures
After initial containment, Singapore introduced broader societal measures to manage community transmission, particularly following larger outbreaks. The “Circuit Breaker” period (April 7 – June 1, 2020) imposed a partial lockdown, closing non-essential workplaces and shifting schools to home-based learning. Dining-in was prohibited, with only takeaway and delivery allowed.
Social distancing guidelines limited gatherings and household visitors. Mask mandates became compulsory from April 14, 2020, for anyone leaving home, with exceptions for strenuous outdoor exercise. Capacity limits were imposed on venues, and SafeEntry, a national digital check-in system, logged visitors’ entry and exit, aiding location-based contact tracing. These measures were adjusted and enforced, managing successive infection waves and adapting to new variants.
National Vaccination Program
Singapore launched a national vaccination program. Rollout began in December 2020, prioritizing healthcare and frontline workers due to their elevated risk of exposure. Vaccination extended to seniors, starting with those aged 70 and above in late January.
The program utilized various vaccine types, primarily mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna/Spikevax), with Sinovac available for specific groups like those with medical contraindications to mRNA vaccines. Public campaigns encouraged uptake, leading to a high vaccination rate, with over 92% of the total population completing their primary regimen. Booster doses were introduced to maintain protection against waning immunity and emerging variants.
Pathway to Endemic Living
Singapore transitioned from a “zero-COVID” approach to living with the virus as an endemic disease. This shift, announced in June 2021, acknowledged that complete elimination was not sustainable, especially with more transmissible variants. High vaccination rates supported this rationale, significantly reducing severe illness and death.
Gradual easing of restrictions followed, emphasizing personal responsibility and managing severe cases rather than solely preventing transmission. Indicators like healthcare capacity and the proportion of vaccinated individuals with mild symptoms guided this transition. This allowed for progressive reopening of social, economic, and travel activities while managing public health outcomes.