CoVid-19 News
January 27,2020
In view of the novel coronavirus (“CoVid-19”) outbreak in Wuhan and other parts of China, and the evolving nCoV situation, we should closely monitor CoVid-19-related developments and follow travel and health advisories in the Ministry of Health (MOH) website (www.moh.gov.sg).
With the expected increase in travel volume over the Chinese New Year holiday period, we are advising all our members to be vigilant and take precautions where relevant.
Please refer to MOM’s Advisory on the nCoV at www.mom.gov.sg/ncov and check for updates regularly.
Since it is suspected that the virus is contagious even in the incubation period of up to 14 days. It would be recommended if you visited or has been in contact with anyone who has visited or been in any of the places affected, to work from home for a period of 14 days.
In addition, we know it is not conventional, but if you don’t mind to fill up the following Oversea Travel declaration, we will appreciate your cooperation.
February 10, 2020
Singapore is On Dorscon Orange, Extra precaution will be applied.
February 21, 2020
At of Feb 21, 2020 11:00 am CoVid-19 has infected 76,715 people with 2,247 deaths.
You can read all the news for updates at CNA
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topics/wuhan-virus
If you would like to Support Singapore with donations or Volunteering
March 17,2020
Sent by Gov.SG
COVID-19: Travel advisory
Defer all non-essential travel overseas
Measures from 16 Mar 2359hrs:
Incoming residents, long-term pass holders
14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN): For all w travel history to Mainland China (excl Hubei), Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland, or UK, in last 14 days
Incoming short-term visitors
No entry or transit: For those from Mainland China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Spain
14-day SHN for those from ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland, UK
Nationals of ASEAN countries must submit requisite health information; approval needed before traveling to S’pore
SHN will not apply to S’poreans and M’sians at land and sea crossings with Malaysia.
Those on SHN
– Need proof of SHN residence; remain there at all times for 14 days;
– Swab test even if no symptoms
O2Work will continue operations as normal please check our for advice
April 02,2020
Some good news, Singapore team Develop a 5-minute Covid-19 team, now waiting for approval. read more here.
April 08,2020
No Social gathering allowed, of any size, in both public or private places .
April 14,2020
Singapore reported 386 new cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as of noon local time on April 13. Most of them are linked to infection clusters in dormitories that house foreign workers.
The inhabitants of those dormitories are typically men from other Asian countries who carry out labor-intensive construction jobs in order to support their families back home.
Last week, Singapore announced an inter-agency task force whose goal is to contain the outbreak in the dormitories, which has worsened recently.
Monday’s numbers brought the total cases in the city-state to 2,918, while nine people have succumbed to the illness. The daily reported infections have gone up exponentially since March, first due to a growing number of imported cases and then because of the outbreak in the dormitories.
The health ministry said to-date 586 people have fully recovered from the infection and have been discharged from hospitals and community isolation facilities. — Saheli Roy Choudhury, Ted Kemp
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/14/coronavirus-latest-updates.html
April 17,2020
On Thursday, 728 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 4,427.
Almost 90% of these infections have been linked to these workers.
The number is expected to rise as more workers get tested in the coming days to help identify the scale of the problem.
Around 300,000 low-wage workers, mostly from South Asia, work in Singapore in construction and maintenance.
Most of them live together in huge dormitory complexes on the outskirts of the city they’ve helped build.
https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-singapore-spike-reveals-scale-053003879.html
April 20,2020
Trump Says He’ll Suspend All Immigration Into The United States Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Some might say it is too late, but it is one way to stop imported cases, like in Singapore, but immigration vs visitors or transits are 2 different things. We should focus more on social distancing and get as many test kits as possible.
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/trump-suspends-immigration-coronavirus-022125650.html
In a more local news
Singapore reported a daily high of 1,426 new COVID-19 cases on Monday (Apr 20), bringing the national total to 8,014.
The vast majority of the new cases – 1,369 – are work permit holders living in foreign worker dormitories, according to a Ministry of Health (MOH) update on Monday night.
April 21,2020
Circuit Breaker extended for one more month until June 1st.
Circuit breaker measures have been working, but we cannot be complacent, the number of unlinked cases has not come down, which suggests a “hidden reservoir” of cases in the community.
April 29,2020
Singapore’s outbreak highlights what can happen if some of the lowest paid and most vulnerable people in society go unnoticed during the health crisis.
https://time.com/5825261/singapore-coronavirus-migrant-workers-inequality/
May 5,2020
Singapore will start reopening borders “selectively”
May 6,2020
Singapore’s total coronavirus cases have surged in recent weeks to one of the highest in Asia — but the country is not even halfway through its outbreak, according to Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/06/coronavirus-singapore-is-not-halfway-through-outbreak-says-minister.html
May 8,2020
Singapore struggles with not enough test kits, but private companies are helping with 3d Printed Swaps, can adapt and overcome.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-08/singapore-s-nasal-swab-struggle-shows-why-test-kits-are-scarce
May 12,2020
Singapore is easing its Circuit breaker, but we still have to be careful we do not want a third wave
SINGAPORE — Singaporeans will be able to get a haircut at the barber or pop in to their favorite bakery Tuesday as the government loosens coronavirus restrictions three weeks before a partial lockdown ends.
Despite an upsurge in cases due to an outbreak among foreign workers staying in crowded dormitories, the government says transmission in the local community has dropped and it plans a phased reopening of the economy. Barbers and hairdressers, food manufacturers and outlets, and laundry shops are among selected businesses that can open with strict health measures in place Tuesday after five weeks of shutdown.
Barbers are open by appointment only and notices outside shops call for face masks before entry. Officials reminded citizens not to rush out or loiter outside.
Singapore has reported 23,822 infections, the most in Asia after China, India and Pakistan. But it has a low fatality rate of 21 deaths. About 90% of cases are linked to foreign workers’ dorms, which have all remained locked down as testing continues.
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/The-Latest-Belgium-relaxes-virus-lockdown-opens-15260716.php
May 12,2020
Singapore Airlines cuts capital spending estimate by at least 12% amid virus crisis
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-air-results-idUSKBN22R06B
May 19,2020
Are you suffering from Cabin Fever?
It is not easy to stay indoor for so long and it will take a toll, at O2work we have a counselor that could help you with this contact us to get an appointment
https://www.gov.sg/article/cabin-fever-101-are-you-feeling-it
May 20, 2020
Singapore to exit circuit breaker on Jun 1, visiting of parents, places of worship allowed with restrictions
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-exit-circuit-breaker-jun-1-visit-parents-worship-12749222
May 22, 2020
Singapore Health Official: Yet to See Coronavirus Mutation
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2020-05-22/singapore-health-official-yet-to-see-coronavirus-mutation-video
May 26, 2020
S$33b Fortitude Budget aimed at providing jobs, supporting workers and firms through ‘difficult period’ of COVID-19
SINGAPORE: A new S$33 billion Budget focused on providing jobs and helping to tide workers and businesses through the “difficult period” of COVID-19 was unveiled in Parliament by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday (May 26).
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-fortitude-budget-heng-swee-keat-key-announcements-12770060
May 29, 2020
South Korea to Close Public Facilities After New Cluster of Coronavirus Cases Emerges
A new cluster of more than 80 COVID-19 cases has been linked to a logistics center near Seoul.
https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2020-05-28/south-korea-to-close-public-facilities-after-new-cluster-of-coronavirus-cases-emerges
June 2, 2020
Expenses incurred from working at home qualify for tax deductions
An Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) spokesperson told The Business Times: “Tax deduction against employment income is allowable for expenses incurred wholly and exclusively in the production of employment income. ”
To qualify for the deduction, the expenses must be incurred while carrying out official duties, not reimbursed by the employer, and not capital or private in nature.
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/expenses-incurred-from-working-at-home-qualify-for-tax-deductions
June 5, 2020
Singapore plans wearable virus contact tracing device for all
“The small device, which can be worn on the end of a lanyard or carried in a handbag, follows glitches with an earlier smartphone-based bluetooth system which limited take up of the technology.”
https://news.yahoo.com/singapore-plans-coronavirus-contact-tracing-043528012.html
June 9, 2020
Coronavirus: At least half of Singapore’s new cases are asymptomatic, government says
Authorities have subsequently discovered that “for every symptomatic case you would have at least one asymptomatic case,” according to Lawrence Wong, the minister of national development and co-head of Singapore’s Covid-19 taskforce.
https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-least-half-singapore-cases-071547038.html
June 10, 2020
Singapore approves anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients
The US authorised the emergency use of remdesivir in hospitals at the start of May, followed by Japan and South Korea, while Europe has been considering following suit.
https://news.yahoo.com/singapore-approves-anti-viral-drug-covid-19-patients-093148285.html
June 12, 2020
Coronavirus wrap: F1 tweaks 2020 calendar and Indian cricket stays grounded
Formula One has removed races in Azerbaijan, Singapore and Japan from its 2020 schedule and India have scrapped plans to tour Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe as the sporting calendar continues to be reshaped by the effects of coronavirus.
https://sports.yahoo.com/coronavirus-wrap-f1-tweaks-2020-102449643.html