MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT
24 APR 2003

BATTLEFRONT 3 - THE SOCIETY
The third battlefront against SARS is in our society, the way each Singaporean responds to the problem, and cooperates with the measures which will help us to solve it. This is the most critical battlefront. If we lose this front, we will lose all the other fronts, and lose the war.

Government is doing everything possible. But for these policies and measures to succeed, every Singaporean must play his part.

To support the public health measures, all Singaporeans should follow the daily precautions recommended by the Ministry of Health to protect ourselves and those around us. We need to be keenly aware of our social responsibility to our families, friends and fellow citizens, in containing the spread of SARS. See a doctor if you are unwell, telling him the truth, and heeding his advice. Go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital if you suspect you have contracted SARS, and abiding by the HQOs if you are on quarantine. Do not travel to SARS-affected areas. Take personal responsibility to measure your own temperature and the temperatures of your family everyday.

To deal with the economic problem, we also need to work together. The tripartite partners have rallied to help affected companies stay viable and preserve as many jobs as possible. The NTUC, the Singapore National Employers Federation and MOM have issued a joint statement recommending temporary cost reduction measures, including a shorter work week, lay-offs and wage cuts. They have also acknowledged that, despite these measures, retrenchments will be unavoidable in the tourism and transport-related sectors, and advised employers to treat fairly workers who have to be retrenched. This realistic and constructive approach will help companies to stay afloat, and help as many workers as possible to keep their jobs.

One group that is bearing the heaviest burden is our doctors and healthcare workers. They are on the frontline of this fight against SARS. Despite their heavy workload, the extreme stress, and the risk that they are exposed to daily, they have not compromised on their professionalism or their dedication to duty. We can all be proud that in such a difficult situation, these doctors, nurses and hospital attendants, who include non-Singaporeans, have shown the steadfast courage and commitment to do their best to overcome this national problem. They are an inspiration for all of us.

The Courage Fund is a tangible way for Singaporeans to show their support for the health care workers. I am sure that all members of this House will join me in adding our gratitude and support to the sentiments that have been expressed publicly by many Singaporeans over the last few weeks. But more importantly the health care workers need our co-operation, because whether their jobs become easier or harder in the coming weeks and months, depends on whether everyone is doing his part to contain the spread of the virus.

CONCLUSION
SARS will be a long term problem for us. Now that it has spread to so many countries, scientists believe that it is not likely to be eradicated from the world. We have instituted effective measures to contain the outbreak in Singapore. As we discover more about the virus, we will modify and improve the arrangements to minimise the risk of infection. But every Singaporean must adopt sensible precautions and socially responsible habits, while carrying on with our normal day-to-day activities. We have to learn as one society to cope with the virus.

Life will not be the same as it was before SARS. We must adjust our habits and behaviour patterns so as to tackle this new threat and adapt to the changed environment. But with precautions and changes in habits which protect ourselves and especially other Singaporeans, we can continue to make a living, bring up our families, and maintain our social and community activities.

SARS is a grave challenge. But we have an effective public service, a cohesive and cooperative population, and the resources to deal with the problem. We are mobilising all these to tackle SARS. I am confident that together we can overcome this problem, restore confidence, and get Singapore back to normal again.