Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
23 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 18 imported infections
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Singapore on Sunday (Mar 22) confirmed 23 new cases of COVID-19, of which 18 are imported. The new cases take the national total to 455 cases. Advertisement Advertisement The imported cases had travelled to Europe, North America, South America and ASEAN countries, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily update. All except one case were
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Postponing Olympics may become inevitable: Japan PM Abe
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TOKYO: Postponing the 2020 Olympics “may become inevitable” if the new coronavirus outbreak makes it impossible to hold the Games safely, Japan’s prime minister said on Monday (Mar 23). Shinzo Abe told parliament that Japan was still committed to a “complete” Games, but added: “If that becomes difficult, in light of considering athletes first, it may
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Emirates reverses decision to suspend all passenger flights
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DUBAI: Dubai carrier Emirates reversed on Sunday (Mar 22) its decision to suspend all passenger flights, shortly after it said it would halt operations from Mar 25 amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The airline said it “received requests from governments and customers to support the repatriation of travellers” and will continue to operate passenger flights to 13 destinations,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Trump orders emergency medical stations for coronavirus hotspots
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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Sunday (Mar 22) said he had ordered the deployment of emergency medical stations with capacity of 4,000 hospital beds to coronavirus hotspots around the United States. Trump told a news conference that he had told the FEMA emergency management agency to set up the medical stations in New York, California and
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Asia steps up COVID-19 efforts as second wave of infections strikes
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HONG KONG: From Australia’s Bondi Beach to the streets of New Delhi, authorities across Asia have ramped up efforts to stem the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus amid fears of a second wave of infections in places where outbreaks had appeared under control. Tighter travel restrictions were imposed in several countries as the number of
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Spanish opera singer Domingo tests positive for coronavirus
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MADRID: Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo said on Sunday (Mar 22) he had tested positive for coronavirus and had gone into self isolation with his family. “We are currently all in good health but I developed a cough and a fever and decided to get tested, and the result came back positive,” Domingo wrote on
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Safe distancing rules still a work in progress for some businesses days after announcement
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SINGAPORE: Stricter safe distancing rules, which require retailers and food and beverage (F&B) operators to ensure sufficient space between their customers, seem to remain a work in progress for some businesses here. The measures, announced on Friday (Mar 20), are part of the country’s step-up in efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Among others,
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Commentary: With command and control, Taiwan excels in managing COVID-19
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TAIPEI: As the coronavirus pandemic takes a rapidly increasing toll on the health and well-being of people around the world – as well as the global economy and social fabric more broadly – Taiwan has won widespread recognition for its impressive performance in dealing with the crisis. Relying on a combination of preparedness, technology, and
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
No entry or transit through Singapore for all short-term visitors amid heightened risk of imported COVID-19 cases: MOH
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SINGAPORE: Singapore will not allow short-term visitors to enter or transit through the country in view of the heightened risk of importation of COVID-19 cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday (Mar 22). Previously, except for a handful of countries, short-term visitors were allowed to come into Singapore, although they will have to serve a 14-day stay-home notice once
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
The Big Read: Singapore has been buttressing its food security for decades. Now, people realise why
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SINGAPORE: On most days, visitors to Yili Farm are a rarity given its remote Lim Chu Kang location and the unsavoury odours of vegetable fertilisers permeating the farm. But Feb 7 and Mar 17 were not like most days, recalled Miss Toh Yingying, 24, business manager of Yili Vegetation and Trading. Advertisement Advertisement Many people rushed
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Johnson warns of tougher action to prevent coronavirus spread
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LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday (Mar 22) he may impose tougher controls on the British public as packed parks, markets and cafes at the weekend showed thousands of people defying government warnings about social distancing. Johnson gave notice of potential tougher action as the latest health department figures revealed that 281 people
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
IOC admits postponing Olympics an option, but not cancellation
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LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee said on Sunday (Mar 22) that postponing the 2020 Olympics is one its options as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, but that cancellation of the Tokyo showpiece was “not on the agenda”. The IOC has faced strong pressure to push back this summer’s Tokyo Games, scheduled from Jul
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Ohio, Louisiana declare coronavirus lockdowns
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NEW YORK: As US cases of coronavirus spiked on Sunday (Mar 22), Ohio and Louisiana became the latest states to announce broad lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus with nearly one in three Americans under orders to stay at home. The two states join New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to
Commentary: Buried under a bursting inbox? It’s time to stop our problematic email habits
SINGAPORE: It’s a situation we are all familiar with — after a relaxing weekend, we return to our email boxes to see a mountain of emails waiting, and instantly feel defeated by the “digital avalanche”. To avoid the build-up of emails, some employees even choose to stay connected to work through their devices outside of office