Evaluating the implementation of COVID-19 safe management measures in Singaporean universities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic situation has been a protracted one, requiring long term behavioural changes to mitigate the disease’s impact on society. Regulations such as social distancing measures, mask mandates and vaccine differentiated measures have been enacted in Singapore to contain the spread of the disease since entered the country in early 2020. This paper serves as an inquiry into the impact of national policies in the COVID-19 pandemic response in the university setting, particularly in terms of uptake of such policies by university students. The results of this study found that while most university students remain compliant with the existing measures, the risk perceptions of students have decreased over time and the number of students flouting the rules has increased. Policy measures for future pandemic response efforts include being more consistent and transparent in disease response communication, formulating a more consistent roadmap so that expectations can be managed, as well as engaging in campaigns to shape more pro-social norms.