PAPERCUTSCriteria for Restrictions in Phase Three of Reopening to be Lifted
- Phase Three of reopening is considered a new normal that will continue until there is strong evidence that vaccines can prevent future outbreaks, a substantial proportion of the population is vaccinated, and the global virus situation is under control.
- The government has tightened community measures in response to new outbreaks and variants and does not expect to exit Phase Three soon, relying on safe management and high vaccination rates to build collective immunity.
- Vaccination progress depends on supply, capacity, and public willingness; the approval of additional vaccines like Sinovac will be based on safety and efficacy but is not the main rate-limiting factor.
- Safe management measures will remain essential and adapt dynamically to the disease burden and risk, with outbreak processes like testing, contact tracing, and quarantine calibrated based on technical advice.
- The government will follow up on specific operational questions, such as PCR test turnaround times, separately rather than during debates on broader reopening criteria.