This Year in Singapore: post-Covid life, gay sex ban ends, political renewal, crypto fallouts and more

Singapore gets a new PM-in-waiting, ends most Covid-19 curbs and a colonial-era gay sex ban, and finds its footing amid multiple crypto implosions

City state says its ‘back in business’ with major events and rebuilding as an aviation hub, even as some doctors voice concern about Covid complacency

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Attendees at the Pink Dot pride event on June 18, 2022 in Singapore. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:00pm, 28 Dec 2022

Much of the past year in Singapore has been marked by jubilation, exemplified by the Formula One Grand Prix roaring back to the city state in October following the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions.

The year was also marked by other significant events such as the striking down of a colonial-era gay sex ban, while the ruling party consolidated its succession plan for continued stability amid a backdrop of a slowing global economy and a tumultuous global cryptocurrency market.

In March, the city state pushed through with its plan to live with the coronavirus, lifting an outdoor mask mandate and a rule that banned restaurants and bars from serving alcoholic drinks after 10.30pm.

On the night of the easing, loud cheers were heard across Singapore’s central business district and some bars even offered free beer.

Supporters attend the annual Pink Dot event in a public show of support for the LGBT community at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on June 18. Photo: AFP

One month later, the government dropped Covid-19 testing for fully vaccinated travellers, a move hailed as an “important milestone” as Singapore began to rebuild as a global aviation hub, even as other regional rivals such as Hong Kong remained torn.