Singapore's East Coast Park, a green oasis that hugs the main highway to Changi Airport next to man-made beaches, was packed with families this week, enjoying a public holiday marking the Muslim festival, Hari Raya Haji.
Little would you have known that the island state was near the peak of its second Omicron wave, according to epidemiologists.
Yet, restrictions have largely disappeared in a nation renowned for its cautious approach to health — with life almost returning to pre-pandemic norms.
And symbolising the resilience of Singaporeans is the nation's first female president — 67-year-old Halimah Yacob — who was back participating in community events for the religious holiday just over a week after announcing she had tested positive for coronavirus.
"It's not unexpected that the President would catch COVID at some point, and if it had been in the first year of the pandemic, it could have been quite risky, given her age group," said Alex Cook, an infectious diseases modelling expert at the National University of Singapore.
"However, for a 67-year-old to get COVID now, it is no longer a great concern since most people in this age group are vaccinated and will recover."
After the Hari Raya Haji long weekend, daily cases peaked at 15,978 on July 13 — the highest since March 10 when 15,990 daily cases were recorded during the first Omicron wave, according to Ministry of Health figures. Nearly 9,830 cases were reported on July 15.
During the first wave, infections peaked at 25,731 on February 22.
Singapore, with an estimated population of 5.82 million, has recorded 1,444 COVID deaths, a little more than Queensland (1,410 deaths) which has a slightly smaller population.
Indoor mask mandates remain
Unlike Australia, Singapore continues to enforce a mask mandate for indoor settings — including offices and its bustling shopping centres — but has gradually relaxed once-stringent rules around public gatherings, eating out and online check-ins.
Singapore is roughly one month ahead of Australia in terms of its vaccination roll-out for over 50-year-olds, with second boosters offered to the age group from June 10.
From Monday, the advisory body, ATAGI, recommended that Australians above the age of 50 get a fourth jab. It also made booster shots available for over-30s, which aren't available for Singaporeans of the same age.
Singaporean career coach Adrian Choo, who turned 50 in March, says he's booked in to have his second booster, even though he's avoided catching COVID.
"It's almost back to the old normal in Singapore in terms of everyday activities and I can't wait to go maskless indoors.
"But I still want to wear my mask in crowded trains. I used to catch the flu once-a-month pre-pandemic, but I haven't fallen ill since the mask mandate was introduced so I'm actually healthier than before."
Life is also almost back to normal for the Low family, who made the most of the long weekend to enjoy a staycation at a city hotel, not far from the street circuit where Singapore will host the Grand Prix in September.
The area typically welcomes tens of thousands of visitors from overseas for the night race that has become a popular stop on the Formula 1 calendar.
"It was pretty much a normal holiday weekend for us," said 42-year-old Maggie Low.
"We enjoyed the restaurant buffet, went to the Suntec shopping centre and had fun with the kids in the park. We wore masks indoors, but took them off outdoors.
"We trust the government and we're happy to follow its instructions in terms of vaccine recommendations and anything else."
Singapore has developed 'hybrid immunity'
Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases expert from Singapore's Rophi Clinic, said that while Singapore's younger population had embraced the new pandemic normal, some older residents were still fearful.
"A sense of fear still grips half the population, while the others, especially those without elderly in the family, take it in their stride," Dr Leong said.
"But Singapore is very, very well vaccinated with the more potent mRNA [vaccines] and boosted too, and there is no shortage of anti-viral medications.
Singapore received criticism last year after alarming COVID outbreaks in dormitories for its migrant workers, who then faced draconian restrictions not endured by Singapore citizens and residents.
Mr Cook said that while case numbers could rise driven by the Omicron wave, Singapore was well placed to weather the storm and resist implementing more restrictions, due to its "hybrid immunity".
Ninety-two per cent of its entire population is vaccinated, with 78 per cent having received at least one booster — one of the highest rates in the world.
"By now, more than one in four Singapore residents has had a confirmed infection, so when we factor in those who do not go to the doctor, probably most Singaporeans have been infected," Mr Cook said.
"Now, only about one in every 10,000 cases passes away, and only about a tenth as many people are in intensive care as during the smaller Delta wave last year."
He predicted that the second booster shot — introduced almost five weeks ago — would reduce the risk of Singaporeans getting infected during the current wave, adding that he'd have no qualms allowing his teenage sons to get fourth doses soon.
"Both my children got boosted as soon as they were eligible early this year and as the virus continues to mutate in the months ahead, it may become beneficial to give them another dose, ideally of a reformulated vaccine that better matches the circulating virus," he said.
'Grateful to be in Singapore instead of Hong Kong'
Ms Low said she was relieved to be away from her native Hong Kong, which still mandates a one-week quarantine period for international arrivals and enforces other strict restrictions in line with those in mainland China.
As for Ms Halimah — the presidency is more of a ceremonial role in Singapore than the prime minister who has political control — she was quick to reassure citizens that she was feeling healthy ahead of the annual National Day parade on August 9 when the country will celebrate its 57th birthday.
"Thank you all for your well-wishes over the past week," she posted on her Facebook page on July 10.
"I have recovered from COVID-19 and feel well... wishing those performing their Hajj in Mecca a safe journey home, and a meaningful day spent with loved ones for Muslims in Singapore."
And Ms Halimah also announced this week that the Istana — the presidential residence which is a stone's throw from the Orchard Road shopping strip — would be open to visitors on Sunday for the first time since before the pandemic.
It will be another significant step forward in Singapore's COVID recovery with the red and white flag-waving patriotism of National Day just four weeks away.
