The Babylonians were the first civilisation to leave records of new-year festivities, some 4,000 years ago. The first time the word “New Year Resolution” appeared was in a Boston newspaper in 1813. Although the New Year was started as a celebration in the earlier stage of civilization, today, we not only celebrate the New Year, but we look for a better future, progress, health and wealth alongside it. New Year inspires us to set a goal, to plan, make a commitment and achieve all of our life aspirations.

This sentiment comes with new meaning in 2021. While we live in times when humankind possesses the most advanced science and technology, a virus invisible to the naked eye has massively disrupted economies, healthcare, and education systems worldwide. This should serve as a reminder that as we keep making progress in science and research, humanity will continue to face challenges in the future, and it is upon us to prioritize those issues that are most relevant in the 21st century.

Preventing COVID-19 transmission is contingent on public compliance and private sector cooperation to suppress human to human transmission. Countries worldwide have adopted new behaviours to prevent infection, such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, tele-working and hand hygiene as part of daily life. Now the challenge is to make these new behaviours part of our everyday habits, or “the new normal”. Embedding these practices as part of our “new normal” can be a stepping stone to a “new future”, with benefits for other health issues, far beyond the response to COVID-19.

NCT would like to express our deepest gratitude to the frontliners and essential workers who are continuing the fight against COVID-19 in various capacities. We also thank our customers for their kind support and understanding in these challenging times. We will continue to do all that we can in supporting the nation against this pandemic.

Forward we trudge into 2021, with gratitude, humanity, and hope in our hearts.