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COVID-19 vaccinations extended to Singaporeans aged 45 and below from June

Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary announced in Parliament on Monday (April 5) that residents aged below 45 will be able to book their slots for Covid-19 vaccination from June.

The number of vaccination centres has been expanded to 31, with a total of 40 vaccination centres islandwide by the middle of April. He added that the vaccination programme will be completed as scheduled by the end of the year. Click the link below to find out more.

Singapore’s overall unemployment rate declines for fourth consecutive month in February

Manpower Minister Josephine Teo shared on Wednesday (April 7) that Singapore’s employment situation has continued to improve, with resident and citizen unemployment rates declining for the fourth straight month in February. The unemployment rate peaked in September last year till October, before falling steadily since November, while continuing to drop for the fourth consecutive month in February as the economy continues to recover.

Mrs Teo noted that under the Jobs Growth Incentive, payouts were made to 27,000 employers, who collectively hired 130,000 locals in the first three months of the scheme.

DPM Heng Swee Keat steps aside as leader of 4G team paving way for younger successors for future PM

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced on Thursday (8 April) that he will be stepping aside as a 4G leader to make way for someone younger who will have a longer runway when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong retires.

Mr Heng, who will stay on as DPM and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies but resign the finance portfolio, noted the long-term and profound challenges of the pandemic, his age, and the demands of the top job, as reasons for his decision.