Singapore has lifted its travel ban on ten African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe, due to the Omicron coronavirus strain. At the same time, authorities forecast a sharp increase in cases in the following days.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has predicted that fresh cases may emerge “soon” due to the Omicron variant’s increased transmissibility. “We could expect additional community (local) cases in the following days and weeks, as well as a rapid doubling of instances. In order to live with COVID-19, we must go through this process once again, “It was stated.
However, the crest of the wave can be tempered, and we can prevent overwhelming our healthcare system again if everyone plays their part in getting their immunizations and booster doses, self-testing periodically, and self-isolating if tested positive,” the MoH warned, according to Channel News Asia.
The ministry further informed that special precautions have been taken and advised people not to reduce social interaction. The health ministry was quoted saying that “Our government has prepared itself; we have been administering booster doses to adults and have started vaccinating the children.”
It continued, “We sought cooperation and understanding from each and every citizen as Omicron wave may emerge in next one or two months”.
Reportedly, Omicron cases will be treated in community care facilities, depending upon the condition of the patient and will not be admitted to the default facility. It also mentioned that the people arriving from these countries must take a PCR test (Polum,erase Chain Reaction ) within two days before departure at the same time on the arrival. They will also need to show ten days home isolation certificate.
Following the first reports of Omicron instances in these 10 African Nations, long-term pass holders and short-term tourists with recent travel histories were previously denied entry or transit.
The citizens of Singapore and the permanent residents there are compulsory orders that they would have to serve a 10-day notice to the dedicated family. The ministry further said that to decrease the spread of the Omicron variant in Singapore, it earlier followed a “more cautious risk containment approach.”
According to the health ministry, the country will be updating its travel advisory according to the spread of Omicron cases worldwide. It further said border security measures would be changed in order to make the nation Covid-resilient.
It added, “As per the current, worldwide, scenario Omicron is more transmissible than other variants circulating across the world. In numerous countries, including the UK, USA and Denmark, Omicron has overtaken the Delta variant”. The health ministry also mentioned that the available data suggests that the new variant has reduced the risk of hospitalisation and ventilation.
MoH said that the mRNA vaccine reduces the risk of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
In the last week, we faced several omicron cases.
