Covid has changed our lives. With the closing of downtown offices, health laws, masks, and restaurants, it has upset the habits of people living in cities for a long time. At the time of the Spanish flu crisis at the beginning of the 20th century, only 14% of the people lived in cities, but today this figure has risen to 57%, according to estimates by the United Nations Population Division.
As a result, cities have had to become even more vigilant in terms of health protections and overall safety to better protect their populations. To clarify the changes that have led to improved safety, the Economist Intelligence Unit recently released the 2021 Safe Cities Index, which ranks 60 cities based on 76 safety indicators related to infrastructure, digital life, personal safety, environmental factors and, of course, health – with this year’s focus on pandemic preparedness and Covid-19 mortality.
The cities ranked at the top of the index – including Sidney , Zurich, Toronto, Singapore and Tokyo – all exhibit factors that illustrate the correlation between overall safety and a strong sense of social cohesion, total population inclusion and societal trust. We interviewed residents of these cities to find out how the changes brought about by the pandemic have made their cities safer, more inclusive, and more resilient, and what travelers still need to know to stay safe when they finally get there.
1. Sidney - Australia
Australia is considered one of the safest countries in the world, so tourists should feel free while experiencing all the beauties of Sydney.
Even though there is not much recorded data on criminal acts against tourists in Sydney, all the visitors should be aware of the potential dangers that go along with the huge cities. Gang violence, criminal acts in alcoholic states and muggings are some of the issues that happen everywhere. Nevertheless, with a rating of 80%, Sydney is certainly one of the safest cities in the world.
As well as all the other spheres in this city, transports, and taxis are believed to be safe in Sydney. Besides these facts, tourists need to be cautious and remain on those bus or train stations that are well-lit and where there are a lot of people. Licensed taxis are always the best solution.
According to the recorded data, pickpocket risks are on a minimal level. The chances of being pickpocketed in this city are very little.
Women can travel to Sydney without worrying about the possible dangers.
Police guarantee safety in the city center and crowded places in front of the monuments and landmarks, particularly at night.
2. Zurich - Switzerland
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, a gorgeous, peaceful country in Central Europe.
It is located on Lake Zurich, where it flows into the River Limmat , in the north of Switzerland.
Zurich is an extremely important city for Switzerland because it serves as the financial center of the country.
Many worldwide known companies are located precisely here: it is the home of FIFA’s headquarters, German-Swiss national and international media agencies as well as the German-Swiss national TV channel company.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the Its two major universities, Google’s worldwide second largest development center, also located in Zurich.
It is also the education center of Switzerland, with its two major universities, ETH Zürich and the University of Zurich listed among the world’s 15 best universities.
Due to its vicinity to tourist resorts in the Swiss Alps and its mountainous scenery, it is often called “the portal to the Alps”.
3. Toronto-Canada
Even though it is not the capital city of Canada, it is its most famous and most populous city, for sure.
Toronto, the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario, is located on Lake Ontario.
Besides being a great place for immigrants to come and live here, Toronto is a center for music, theater, film, and television production.
The headquarters of the main Canadian television networks such as CBC, CTV, City, Global, The Sports Network and Sportsnet are located in Toronto.
Business, arts, and culture are some of the attractions in Toronto.
The Royal Ontario Museum, The Toronto Zoo, The Art Gallery of Ontario and The Gardiner Museum of ceramic art are only some of the features that attract tourists from all over the world who seek education and knowledge.
Toronto is the least dangerous city in North America and among the top safest cities in the world. However, like any other big city, some crime problems exist and some areas should be avoided by tourists.
Driving in Canada is relatively safe, although tourists are advised to use public transportation and taxis when touring the city. There are no reported risks in terms of transport and taxis in Toronto.
The general crime rate in Toronto is very low and the city has a reputation as one of the safest major cities in North America so it is very welcoming for women travellers.
4. Singapore
Is Singapore safe to visit? The simple answer to this question is…yes.
This makes Singapore a great destination if you’re flying solo for the first time or traveling with children. But whether safety is at the top of your checklist or not, Singapore is still a great spot to visit. A melting pot of Chinese, Tamil Indian, Malay, and British influences, Singapore is completely unique and has so much to offer, with a range of things to see and do, best explored with some guided tours in Singapore.
The food culture is unparalleled, the people are friendly, the streets are clean and Singapore offers a taste of both the modern city life and easy breezy beach vibes at a very low cost of living. Sounds pretty good, right?
But even with how safe Singapore is to visit, it isn’t perfect. Just because it’s said to be one of the safest places in the world, doesn’t mean you should completely let your guard down. Crime is extremely rare in Singapore, but it’s not impossible. As when traveling anywhere in the world, you should still take precautions and have your wits about you.
So, why is it that Singapore is safe to visit? One of the reasons that Singapore has become one of the safest cities in the world is due to it’s very strict rules and regulations. Be aware of these rules before you go and make sure you stick to them to avoid any run-ins with the law – these cover everything from chewing gum and drinking in public at night, all the way to drug possession.
5. Tokyo-Japan
Why Is Tokyo Safe? It’s a well-established fact that Japan has one of the lowest overall crime rates in the world. … When it comes to violent crimes, Tokyo is perhaps the safest of all the large metropolitan cities.
Japan particularly excelled in the health security category with Osaka placing first and Tokyo second. Access to healthcare and the quality of those services, as well as access to safe and good food, quality air and water, and prompt emergency services all gained perfect or near-perfect scores.
Tokyo was assessed highly for its natural disaster preparedness infrastructure and low rates in crime and computer virus infection.
Two other Asian cities also appeared in the overall top ten: Singapore in second place and Seoul ranking eighth. The Economist Intelligence Unit states that the reason is not down to geography, however, but the specific urban environments their residents and officials have built.
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