Singapore fared well in saving both lives and livelihoods relative to other countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and did so without spending excessively, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday.
Key to that was the trust that Singaporeans had in the Government to make the right decisions, and in one another, so as to endure the tough measures needed to tide the country over the crisis, he added.
In his closing speech on the Covid-19 White Paper debate, Mr Wong noted that Singapore's Covid-19 mortality rate of 300 deaths per million was a fifth of Germany's and 10 times lower than that of the United States, which had 2,980 deaths per million people.
The economy also bounced back quickly to pre-Covid-19 levels by 2021, with the employment rate today even higher than before the pandemic.
"You can use different indicators to track this, but it is quite clear that our recovery was faster compared to many others," said Mr Wong, who is also finance minister.
Other achievements were not so easily quantified but no less important, he added. These included keeping schools open, businesses afloat, unemployment low and supply chains open throughout the crisis.
This story is from the March 22, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 22, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
‘NEVER-ENDING’ SUCCESS FOR TAN
S’porean adds cup to league title, Dortmund keen to retain her services for next season
BOSTON PUT PAST BEHIND TO PROGRESS
Celtics take revenge on Heat with big win to book place in 2nd round of NBA play-offs
TAN THE MAN AT BARRIER TRIALS
Low-profile trainer makes presence felt with Single Warrior, Big Union at morning hit-outs
DBS starts the year strong as Ql profit hits new high of $2.95b
Its fee income gets boost from stronger market sentiment, higher card spending
Fed keeps rates at 23-year high amid stubborn price rises
US central bank cites lack of further progress’ towards its 2% inflation target
South Korea’s inflation slows more than expected in April
But weakening won poses challenge to policymakers’ efforts to cool price growth
Qualcomm gives upbeat sales forecast In sign of smartphone recovery
China remains crucial amid sales surge to its phone-makers in first half of fiscal year
Driver in crash that killed prof was checking GPS on phone
He says he was in a state of panic when he told police officer he had fallen asleep at the wheel
Agencies hold joint counter-terrorism exercise
A joint counter-terrorism exercise by various government agencies was held on April 30 and May 1 to test the Republic's preparedness in the event of a terror attack, the police said on May 2.
Five-year-old is youngest S'porean to reach Everest Base Camp
Pre-schooler makes trek to camp situated at altitude of 5,364m in Nepal with his father