Calls for Easing of Stringent Pandemic Measures Amid High Vaccination Rates
Singapore — Former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng has once again urged the nation to relax its stringent pandemic measures. Despite Singapore boasting high vaccination rates, it remains one of the few countries that continue to enforce strict restrictions. Cheng warns that the prevalent kiasu (fear of losing) and kiasi (fear of death) mentalities among many Singaporeans may hinder the country’s long-term progress.
“I am calling for the relaxation of pandemic restrictions in Singapore. Specifically, we need to adjust group sizes, eliminate all restrictions on food and beverage establishments, and allow vaccinated travelers to enter without quarantine,” he stated in a Facebook post on January 22.
Cheng clarified that his appeal for easing restrictions is not motivated by personal business interests or travel limitations. “I have no business interests affected by these pandemic measures, and I’ve been traveling frequently since being vaccinated,” he said.
As an entrepreneur, Cheng spent three months in London in 2021 and traveled to Dubai later that year. He noted that he was in London “during the peak of the Delta variant,” where residents were freely dining and socializing without masks or group size limitations. Throughout his travels across Europe, he did not contract Covid-19.
Last year, prior to the spread of the Omicron variant, Cheng returned to Singapore for his booster shot, affirming his belief in the efficacy of vaccines. “The science indicated that two doses were insufficient to protect against symptomatic Omicron, which is highly contagious,” he remarked.
After receiving his booster, Cheng traveled to Dubai, where he tested positive for Covid-19 four days later, despite showing no symptoms. “Omicron’s contagiousness is evident. However, no vaccinated individual I know who contracted Omicron fell seriously ill. Those fully vaccinated experienced mild symptoms like colds and sore throats, while triple-vaccinated individuals like me were mostly asymptomatic,” he explained.
Cheng pointed out that countries struggling with the Omicron wave generally have low vaccination rates. “Regions in Europe currently under lockdown have vaccination rates around 65%. In contrast, the UK boasts nearly 100% vaccination among those over 60, while the UAE has the highest global vaccination rates. Both are living normally with minimal restrictions, aside from mandatory masking in Dubai.”
In Singapore, statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal that 91% of the total population has received at least one vaccine dose, with similar figures for full vaccination and 55% having received booster shots. Cheng emphasized that Singapore stands out as a highly vaccinated nation with restrictive rules.
However, he acknowledged that his views differ from those of many Singaporeans. “Unfortunately, a recent survey indicated that around 60% of Singaporeans support the existing rules. As I’ve mentioned before, the kiasu and kiasi mentalities are deeply ingrained in the Singaporean psyche, reflecting a small-islander mindset that often prefers to close borders and avoid facing reality.”
Cheng expressed concern that such perspectives could negatively impact Singapore’s future. “Being excessively conservative, fearful, and overly reliant on the government for protection could jeopardize our nation. We are well vaccinated, and Omicron is generally mild among the vaccinated population,” he stated.
He also reiterated his belief that senior citizens who refuse vaccination should “face the consequences” and suggested they should be deprioritized for hospital beds if they contract Covid. “The rest of Singaporeans need to stop living in fear and start embracing life again,” he asserted.
“I’ve made that choice. I contracted Covid. I’m living as normally as possible. I refuse to be a turtle,” he concluded.
