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No effort spared to keep Singaporeans safe: Minister Gan Kim Yong

27 Jan 2020 < 1 min read

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The Government would spare no effort to keep Singaporeans safe, stressed Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, also the co-chair of Singapore’s multi-ministry task force set up to fight Wuhan coronavirus infection.

At a press conference attended by several fourth-generation ministers on Monday 27 Jan 2020, Mr Gan said that there is currently no evidence of community spread in Singapore.

He said, ”The situation is rapidly evolving… We will institute more measures if necessary.”

A new set of stringent measures will be introduced in Singapore’s efforts to contain the Wuhan coronavirus, the task force announced.

Authorities will strengthen border measures by implementing temperature screening for all incoming flights by Wednesday, task force co-chair Lawrence Wong said.

Thermal scanners will be deployed at the piers of the airport to cover all incoming flights, he added.

There will also be “extra precautions” taken for the workforce and students returning from mainland China.

For students returning from China from Tuesday, they will be given a Leave of Absence (LOA) for 14 days so they can stay at home and minimise close contact with others. An estimated 800 students returning from China will be affected.

More stringent precautions are in place for organisations with staff who have close contact and sustained interactions with vulnerable populations.

These measures will apply to schools, including preschools, healthcare and eldercare facilities.

Employers in these sectors will need to issue a Leave of Absence for 14 days upon their workers’ return to Singapore.

Singaporeans are also advised to avoid non-essential travel to mainland China.

Image from Straits Times

Video from ChannelNews Asia