Singapore burnishes Covid-19 shield
Singapore has further strengthened measures to reduce the risk of imported cases and community spread of the Covid-19 virus. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority is actively screening all arrivals by land, sea and air.
The government has earmarked S$6.4 billion to cushion the economic impact of the virus scare, with $800 million for the Ministry of Health. All suspected cases have been isolated and the close contacts of confirmed victims are in quarantine at designated facilities.
Leave of absence and new stay-home notices have been issued to those who are expected to remain in their residences at all times, minimise visitors and maintain a record of persons with whom they have close contact.
The National Environment Agency announced an “SG Clean” campaign on February 16 to galvanise collective action from individuals to local businesses.
To elevate good hygiene practices, that agency, Enterprise Singapore, the Early Childhood Development Agency, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Food Agency and ministries of Education and Transport will rally various sectors to commit to upholding good sanitation.
An “SG Clean” quality mark is being progressively rolled out to various sectors, covering premises with high human traffic at hawker centres, train stations and bus interchanges, schools, government buildings, hotels, conference venues, tourist attractions, cruise and ferry terminals, airport terminals, the integrated resorts, shopping malls and F&B outlets.
To make a real difference to public health, the longer-term objective is to instil greater awareness of good hygiene and cleaning practices.
Singapore Changi Airport has placed more hand sanitisers in four terminals – after the departure and arrival immigration counters, on pillars and in many other high-traffic locations
Jewel Changi Airport has temperature screenings at the entrance for all visitors and staff.
Marina Bay Sands is scaling up temperature screening points and significantly enhancing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, including at the entrances to the hotel and the Shoppes.
Resort World Sentosa has increased cleaning and disinfecting the hotels and common areas, attractions and F&B outlets by 700 per cent.