The co-chairs of the Multi-Ministry Taskforce, Ong Ye Kung and Lawrence Wong released a video on Facebook urging people to exercise caution and follow the safe management measures (SMMs) for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Ong said in the video that “as long as you are not well, whether you test negative or not, don’t go out,” this is because antigen rapid tests can have false negatives.
He added that if you get tested again and it turns up positive after you have visited people, it is already too late.
Wong also said that if you are unwell, don’t go out – you can always meet with your family and friends online.
Ong said: “we’re in the middle of the Omicron wave, and we expect the cases to rise sharply. Although we know it is less severe than Delta, our vulnerable can still fall severely ill if they are infected.”
The two co-chairs also urged people to follow the existing safe management measures and limit their CNY gathering to groups of 5.
They summed up their video message by saying: “If we all do our part and exercise personal responsibility, we can have a meaningful and safe New Year celebration.”
“So let’s work together again to ride through this Omicron wave.”