Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gets a Sneaky Covid Hit While in Germany
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat found a little extra sparkle in the German skies when he tested positive for Covid‑19 on a weekend in Berlin. The Silver Lining? He won’t be able to attend the upcoming Point Zero Forum, the fintech showdown slated to run in Zurich from June 21 to 23.
What Happened?
Heng posted on Facebook:
“I went to bed with a sore throat. So far, nothing headline‑making – the good news is I’m vaccinated and boosted. Bit of a shock, but I’ve been careful, masking up and dodging crowds on the European leg of my trip.”
Travel Timeline
- 12 June – arrived in London, attended London Tech Week
- 16 June – landed in Berlin and met the German Health Minister (no, no links here)
- 21‑23 June – scheduled to pull up a coffee at the Point Zero Forum in Zurich (turned into a “house‑bound” episode)
Berlin & a Conversation with a Science‑Savvy German
While in the German capital, Heng connected with Professor Karl Lauterbach, who’s been dubbed “the pandemic scholar.” Heng shared that Lauterbach had read a Singapore research paper on the long‑term effects of SARS (yes, the 2003 cousin of Covid). Their chat involved:
- Lessons from the Covid‑19 rollercoaster
- Potential research collaboration on future pandemic readiness
- A reaffirmation of the tight bond between Singapore and Germany
Father’s Day, Quarantine Edition
With the trip’s swan‑song stranded in Switzerland, Heng joked that it was “an unusual Father’s Day spent in a hotel abroad.” He does, however, thank the internet for letting him video‑call his family back home and wishes all dads worldwide a dose of good health, safety, and resilience.
Bottom Line
Heng is currently in isolation, but remains upbeat. Though his event in Zurich will be missed, his flu‑positive visit has sparked a reminder that the world needs to unite for any next pandemic – and that we all can keep each other safe, no matter where the travel takes us.
