[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/latest-news-26-february-2021\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/latest-news-26-february-2021\/","headline":"Latest News: 26 February 2021","name":"Latest News: 26 February 2021","description":"1. Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary: Singapore not expected to move out of Phase 3 \u201canytime soon\u201d Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Thursday, 25 February, that the Government does not anticipate Singapore moving out of Phase 3\u201canytime soon\u201d, in response to a question posted by Member […]","datePublished":"2021-02-26","dateModified":"2022-04-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/nurhuda-a-bakar\/#Person","name":"THG Team","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/nurhuda-a-bakar\/","identifier":192,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc34876b3fb3590dc3c3af86fecb433aaaadfb1c38122c5a851f730f44b6a43d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/dc34876b3fb3590dc3c3af86fecb433aaaadfb1c38122c5a851f730f44b6a43d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1614305868026_TON_1280X626_28329.png","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1614305868026_TON_1280X626_28329.png","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/latest-news-26-february-2021\/","about":["Community","Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":1692,"articleBody":"1. Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary: Singapore not expected to move out of Phase 3 \u201canytime soon\u201dSenior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Thursday, 25 February, that the Government does not anticipate Singapore moving out of Phase 3\u201canytime soon\u201d, in response to a question posted by Member of Parliament (MP) Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang).\u00a0He stated, \u201cPhase 3 is a new normal which will last until such time when there is evidence on vaccine effectiveness in preventing future outbreaks, a substantial proportion of the population is vaccinated, and the rest of the world also has the virus under control.”Singapore entered into Phase 3 of its post-circuit breaker reopening on 28 December 2020. Since then, an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks across many countries has been observed, alongside the emergence of more contagious variants of the virus.\u00a0\u201cSingapore needs to remain vigilant,\u201d Dr Puthucheary emphasised, even as outbreaks in other countries seem to have slowed in recent weeks.In the meantime, he added that Singapore will continue to find ways to allow our economy and society to further reopen in a safe manner. However, the volatile situation means that we may have to adjust our safe management measures from time to time.\u00a0Mr Yip also asked if vaccination rates had to cross a certain threshold before the Government would consider exiting Phase 3.\u00a0In response, Dr Puthucheary said that while the vaccines approved here for use have proven to be effective in providing protection against COVID-19, authorities are still waiting for more data on how effective the vaccines are in preventing transmission, and how effective they are against the new variants of the coronavirus.\u00a0In the meantime, Dr Puthucheary said that we should \u201ccontinue to be disciplined about safe management measures and achieve a high level of vaccination within our population to boost our collective immunity\u201d.\u00a0Mr Yip had also asked if Singapore\u2019s vaccination timeline would change should the Sinovac vaccine be approved. The Sinovac vaccine had arrived in the country on Tuesday, 23 February.\u00a0Answering his question, Dr Puthucheary clarified that the timeline was dependent on a variety of factors, such as the ability to increase the capacity and capability of vaccination centres, as well as the willingness of people to get vaccinated.\u00a0Additionally, MP Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang) had also posed a question to the Health Ministry on whether they had backup processes in place for potential outbreaks of more virulent strains of COVID-19 that current safe management measures may not be sufficient to contain.\u00a0Mr Puthucheary reiterated that fundamental measures such as safe distancing and contact tracing are a \u201cnecessary and important\u201d part of the fight against COVID-19, and that how these measures may be applied will depend on the risk posed to Singapore\u2019s populations.\u00a0He added, \u201cThe key point would be that we take reference from technical and professional advice, and we are very grateful that we have a depth of technical and professional advice to advise us in fighting COVID-19.\u201d2. ICA warns of fake website, says no data compromised with fake websiteThe Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had warned on Thursday, 25 February, of a fake website (ica-mom.online) mimicking its own (www.ica.gov.sg).\u00a0As of 9.20 a.m. on Friday (26 February), the website has been taken down. ICA has assured the public that \u201caccess to the official ICA website remains unaffected and no data has been compromised.\u201dICA added that it takes a serious view of such incidents, as they \u201cundermine public trust\u201d in its systems and processes. It has also lodged a police report on the matter.3. YouTube to launch parent-approved accounts targeting tweens and teenagersOn Wednesday, 24 February, YouTube announced that it would be rolling out new parent-approved accounts. Targeted at tweens and young teenagers, this would allow younger users to experience the video streaming service within limits decided by their parents.Developed in response to worries that minors would be able to access inappropriate content pertaining to topics such as violence, an earlier version of this account will be launched in the months to come.Kids and family product management director James Beser said that this would enable parents to grant their children access to YouTube with restricted content and features, through the use of Google accounts.New settings include an \u201cexplore\u201d option for parental restriction, which will showcase videos that have been deemed appropriate for those aged nine and older. These include educational content, gaming videos, music clips and more.A second setting targets children above the age of thirteen and will enable them to access content such as live streams.In addition, a \u201cmost of YouTube\u201d option will also be available, which will allow access to most content aside from those perceived to be appropriate for older audiences only.Beser shared that a mix of \u201cuser input, machine learning and human review(s)\u201d will be used in assessing appropriate content.\u00a04. GetGo sets foot in Singapore\u2019s car-sharing marketSingapore\u2019s car-sharing market will see a new entrant with GetGo, a Singapore-based platform that aims to progressively introduce 400 vehicles across a span of 300 locations in the island, by the end of March this year. Over 14,000 people have pre-registered for GetGo.GetGo seeks to address the issue of refuelling, to give users more convenience by rendering visits to petrol stations unnecessary for every trip.Fees will be calculated by usage and charged on users\u2019 credit cards after each trip has concluded. No membership fees will be charged, and registering as a user is extremely quick due to the platform\u2019s collaboration with MyInfo.Rates begin from S$3 and are calculated based on duration (hours) and mileage. 40 cents will be charged per KM for mileage, as GetGo manages refuelling.New users will be able to get $5 off their first ride by using the code GETGO5OFF.For more information, visit their site here.\u00a05. MSF considering pilot for night-time childcare to aid low-income familiesTo render greater support for low-income families, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is looking into the possibility of a pilot for night-time childcare at a Community Link (ComLink) site.In a written response to Parliament, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said that over 40 childcare centres (3 per cent of existing centres) operate beyond 7 p.m. on weekdays at present.Mr Masagos said approximately 650 families who had children and were living in rental housing were engaged to provide a better understanding of their needs and living conditions.He added that MSF was \u201cstudying the possibility of piloting night-time childcare at a ComLink site to better assess demand for and sustainability of such services.”The four pilot sites for this programme are located at Boon Lay, Jalan Kukoh, Kembangan-Chai Chee and Marsiling.In his Budget speech, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said that ComLink, which is an initiative that seeks to support families with children residing in rental housing, will be extended to support 14,000 families over the next two years.\u00a06. Denise Phua responds to Pritam Singh\u2019s comments on CDC mayor\u2019s \u201coutrageous\u201d salariesPeople\u2019s Action Party (PAP) MP Denise Phua hit back at Workers\u2019 Party chief and Opposition Leader Pritam Singh for his comments on mayors of the Community Development Council (CDC) receiving \u201coutrageous\u201d salaries that are not commensurate with their roles and functions today.\u00a0Mr Singh\u2019s comments had come after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced in his Budget 2021 speech that every Singaporean household will receive S$100 worth of vouchers to support neighbourhood shops and hawker centers.\u00a0Mr Singh had said of the move, \u201cIt would appear to me as if the government is trying to find some way to make the CDCs relevant in view of their relative absence in the public mindshare.\u201d\u00a0Ms Phua had responded on 25 February that Singh\u2019s accusations \u201cbelittles\u201d the CDCs and their partners, adding that \u201cthere is nothing to be ashamed about making sure one is always relevant.\u201dShe also alluded to Mr Singh\u2019s acceptance of the role of the Leader of Opposition as an exercise in trying to stay relevant. She said, \u201cSingaporeans too ask what the role of the Leader of Opposition in our Parliament is \u2014 under the circumstances that all nine of the elected Opposition MPs are from one single Opposition Party.”Ms Phua is the current Mayor of Central Singapore CDC, and the only full-time mayor out of the five CDC mayors.Defending the CDC, Ms Phua explains that the CDCs work on a district level and do work that \u201cgrassroots or government\u00a0 ministries are not quite set up to do\u201d, such as supporting free SkillsFuture Advice workshops, and rolling out district-wide initiatives like the CDC Student Meals quickly.\u00a0Unlike the government institutions, CDCs are able to operate with \u201crelative agility and ability\u201d, enabling them to respond and develop programmes in the district faster than a \u201cbigger government machinery,\u201d according to Ms Phua.\u00a0She added, \u201cDo not politicise the good work of the CDCs and our partners.\u201d However, Ms Phua also acknowledged that Mr Singh\u2019s comments about CDC\u2019s absence in the public mindshare has promoted reflections on whether CDCs can do more to promote their work, and how much publicity is needed to justify their existence and prove their value.\u00a0In response, Mr Singh clarified that his comments were not meant to be a personal indictment against the mayors or the programmes run by the CDCs. Instead, he suggested that these \u201cworthy initiatives\u201d be done by charities instead.Adding on, Mr Singh said that as the role of the CDCs \u201cwere diminished over time, portioning out responsibilities to various ministries, the budget for CDCs went down as well.\u201d Thus, he questioned whether it was viable for the role of a CDC mayor to be a full-time job\u201d.\u00a0Mr Singh concluded, \u201cIt’s for the government now to determine whether the approach that they want to take in terms of whether mayor should be a full time or part time appointment, given the comments I’ve made about the scope of responsibility is something that the government wants to take forward.”Join the conversations on THG’s\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram, and get the latest updates via\u00a0Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Latest News: 26 February 2021","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/latest-news-26-february-2021\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]