If you are looking for a TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long’s Chinese New Year speech, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is a summary of his speech in 65 words:
In essence, Prime Minister Lee wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, hoping that more new baby Singaporeans will come roaring into existence to make up for declining birth rates, as well as the establishment of more Vaccinated Travel Lanes for tourism and trade to recover, while advising the general public to get vaccinated and hold off large family gatherings in fear of Omicron clusters.
Now that you are fully informed, let’s get into the details!
Injecting Emphasis on Vaccinations
With the Chinese New Year festivities, celebratory gatherings are bound to happen because the very quintessence of the Chinese New Year spirit is about auspicious reunions and starting afresh, sweeping away the bad and welcoming the good and new.
In light of that, Prime Minister Lee emphasises on the importance of social responsibility and taking precautionary measures because to care for our loved ones is to ensure that they are safe.
Prime Minister Lee echoes Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in advising the people that they should stay home if they feel unwell, to eliminate any possibilities of the undetected Omicron variant from spreading.
Although there is a specific time and place for celebrations, there are always more opportunities to catch up and visit each other after recovering.
He also underscores the COVID-19 safety protocols and tells the Singaporean public to hold their family gatherings in moderate numbers.
The Omicron variant is still running wild in the country, especially with the sub-lineages rearing their prominent and transmissible heads like a three-times-removed cousin that no one really wants to meet, but are obligated to.
Sincerely, we don’t need a repeat of the health hazard that was the New Year Eve’s party in Clarke Quay, or more Notices of Commissions flying about. Stay safe, dear readers.
Additionally, Prime Minister Lee turns his attention towards the 5 to 11 age group who have recently been given clearance for COVID-19 vaccinations at 15 paediatrician vaccination drives, reiterating that the vaccinations are “safe and effective” for children.
He hopes that family members can encourage each other to get vaccinated plus the booster shots if they haven’t—because nothing is more persuasive than a condescending relative—since it protects the individual themselves and the public against the virus.
Marriage and Birth Rates
Next, Prime Minister Lee brings up one of the troublesome topics that Singapore has faced for years: declining marriage and birth rates.
He hopes that more auspicious events like weddings will happen, especially after the dip during the pandemic years.
Official statistics show that there were 19,430 marriages that involved one Singaporean in 2020, which was a decrease from 22,165 from 2019.
However, in the first half of 2021, there were 12,980 couples that were united in matrimony, an increase of 8,652 in the first half of 2020. Overall, it seems like a good start to the year.
With regards to the number of childbirths though, the provisional figures for the past three years cut it close: there were 39,279 in 2019, 38,590 in 2020, and 38,651 in 2021.
Towards this, the Prime Minister remarked that the birth numbers “have fallen slightly, but not as much as we feared”.
Don’t worry, Mr Prime Minister, if there’s anything the pandemic has provided in abundance, it’s being forced to stay at home for extended periods of time.
In his speech, the Prime Minister continues to encourage more children among Singaporeans as he believes that parents and grandparents will always welcome new arrivals to the family, for they are the carriers of joy and happiness.
Then, Prime Minister Lee cites the Baby Support Grant, which offers parents $3000 if their newborn child’s date of birth or estimated date of delivery falls between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2022.
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Vaccinated Travel Lanes
Lastly, Prime Minister Lee addresses the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs), which he hopes will broaden and expand to more countries.
He states that throughout the COVID-19 pandemics, families have been unable to get together, especially those with loved ones abroad.
He believes that opening more Vaccinated Travel Lanes and the resumption of international travel can resolve it, thus allowing more families to reunite and celebrate the festivities together.
The gradual recovery of the trade, tourism and economy are just extra brownie points, I suppose.
Final Words
For the New Year of 2022, Prime Minister Lee said: “Let us work together to resolutely overcome the pandemic with the strength of the Tiger, and seize new opportunities to build a better Singapore with the boldness of the beast.
“I wish Singaporeans good health, and a very happy Chinese New Year!”
The animal metaphors and allegories are greatly appreciated, Mr Prime Minister.
But Singapore’s national symbol is a lion and a fish?
I hope 2022 goes swimmingly for everyone, and may you have the heart of a lion—vested with courage and bravery—in the future endeavours you undertake!
Read Also:
- 6 Places to Go During CNY 2022 if You Are the Sixth Visitor in Your Household
- About 500 Couples Getting Married on 22/2/22 in S’pore
- Authorities Will Step Up Checks During CNY Period in F&B Outlets & Chinatown Area
Featured Image: Shutterstock / HstrongART