Day: March 20, 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
COVID-19: Malaysia cases cross 1,000 mark, 130 new patients reported
News Business Article
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported 130 new COVID-19 cases on Friday (Mar 30), bringing the total tally to 1,030. Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement that 48 of the new cases were related to the mass religious gathering which took place in a Sri Petaling mosque from Feb 27 to Mar 1. Advertisement Advertisement “At the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
COVID-19: Activities for seniors suspended for another 14 days as part of stricter safe distancing measures
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Activities for seniors by public agencies will be suspended for another 14 days to safeguard their well-being amid the COVID-19 situation in Singapore, the Ministry of Health said on Friday (Mar 20). MOH announced stricter safe distancing measures on Friday, including the extended suspension of activities for seniors, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Advertisement Advertisement Since
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Methodist churches in Singapore suspend services to ‘break the chain’ of COVID-19 infection
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The Methodist Church in Singapore will suspend services for an initial period of two weeks to help “break the chain” of COVID-19 infection, said Bishop Chong Chin Chung on Friday (Mar 20). The decision was made after a meeting with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and various church leaders on Thursday, said
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Jail for man who ‘viciously’ assaulted then-wife in front of their crying kids, fracturing her face
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: A man who viciously assaulted his then-wife in front of their crying children after learning that she wanted to leave him was sentenced to a year’s jail on Friday (Mar 20). The 36-year-old man cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victim, who has since divorced him. Advertisement Advertisement The
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Police investigating offensive NUS Atheist Society post on Facebook: MHA
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The police are investigating after a Facebook post was put up suggesting the Bible and the Quran as alternatives to be used in the event of toilet paper shortages. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday (Mar 20) said that it has received a number of complaints about the post. Advertisement Advertisement The page, titled
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
At least 21 SGX-listed firms shut Malaysia operations to comply with restricted movement order
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: At least 21 firms listed on the Singapore Exchange have temporarily shuttered their factories, offices and retail shops in Malaysia to comply with the country’s restricted movement order. The order, which kicked in on Wednesday (Mar 18) and will last until the end of the month, was aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Millions could die if COVID-19 allowed to spread unchecked: UN chief
News Business Article
UNITED NATIONS: Millions of people could die from COVID-19, particularly in poor countries, if it is allowed to spread unchecked, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday (Mar 19), appealing for a coordinated global response to the coronavirus. “If we let the virus spread like wildfire – especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Malaysian military to help enforce movement curbs to contain COVID-19
News Business Article
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will deploy the military from Sunday to assist police in enforcing a movement control order aimed at reining in the spread of COVID-19, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Friday (Mar 20). All three branches of the military – the army, navy and air force – will be involved in the effort,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Australia hunts 2,700 cruise passengers over COVID-19 fears
News Business Article
SYDNEY: Australia issued an urgent call for 2,700 cruise ship passengers who disembarked in central Sydney to isolate themselves and contact authorities Friday (Mar 20), after four travellers tested positive for COVID-19. New South Wales authorities said they had deemed the New Zealand-bound Ruby Princess “low risk” and let passengers spill into the centre of
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Malaysians with work permits to continue working in Singapore: MFA
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Malaysians with work permits will continue to work in Singapore during the restricted movement order period imposed by Putrajaya, with heath screening and accommodation provided, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday (Mar 20). MFA said in a press statement that the decision was made after Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
‘One of us needs to be at home’: Parents prepared to take leave or work from home to care for children on leave of absence
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Parents who have recently returned from a family holiday overseas said they will take leave or work from home to care for their children. This follows a Government announcement on Thursday (Mar 19) that all students and school staff members returning from travel during the March school holidays will be placed on a 14-day leave
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
South Korea, China, Japan to discuss COVID-19 response
News Business Article
SEOUL: The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan will hold a video conference on Friday (Mar 20) to discuss cooperation on the COVID-19 pandemic, Seoul’s foreign ministry said, amid growing concerns about a global spread and imported cases. The ministers are expected to share information on the outbreaks in their countries and discuss ways to prevent
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Further fall in job vacancies expected amid COVID-19 outbreak: Josephine Teo
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Job vacancies in Singapore are expected to fall further this year given the “uncertainties in 2020”, said Manpower Minister Josephine Teo on Friday (Mar 20). Her comment followed the release of the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) job vacancies report for 2019, which shows the number of vacancies fell due to cautious hiring sentiments. Advertisement Advertisement There
Commentary: What explains South Korea’s success in controlling COVID-19? Tracking and surveillance
LONDON: South Korea has been widely praised for its management of the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. The focus has largely been on South Korea’s enormous virus testing programme. What hasn’t been so widely reported is the country’s heavy use of surveillance technology, notably CCTV and the tracking of bank card and