Month: March 2020
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
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
‘Premature’ to postpone Tokyo Olympics, says IOC chief
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said on Thursday (Mar 19) it would be “premature” to postpone the Tokyo Games but admitted the body was “considering different scenarios” as the coronavirus pandemic advances. The IOC will act on advice from its own taskforce and the World Health Organization, Bach told the New York Times, after a
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
‘Our staff paid the price’: Blame swamps coronavirus-hit US care home
News Business Article
LOS ANGELES: As coronavirus sweeps the US, the instinct to search for culprits has intensified – and nowhere more than the ravaged care home near Seattle where 35 people, mainly residents, have died. The Life Care Center in Kirkland is linked to almost one-quarter of all deaths nationwide, leaving angered families – many of whom have
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
Companies urged to impose leave of absence for staff who travelled during March holidays: MOM
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Companies are encouraged to impose a leave of absence for employees who travelled during the March school holidays, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Friday (Mar 20). Companies that do so, as well as those who are self-employed, will be allowed to claim for the S$100 daily support under the Leave of Absence
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
‘Is that it?’: Chinese report into death of doctor who raised COVID-19 alarm underwhelms
News Business Article
SHANGHAI: A Chinese report into the coronavirus death of a young doctor reprimanded by police for “spreading rumours” when he tried to raise the alarm about the disease drew quick criticism online after it merely suggested the reprimand be withdrawn. The investigative team also denounced the “anti-establishment” labels of “hero” and “awakener” that some had
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 20, 2020
‘How did things end up like this?’ America’s newly unemployed grapple with coronavirus fallout
News Business Article
NEW YORK: Across the United States, thousands of waiters, cooks, hotel staff, actors, bartenders and workers in other sectors have suddenly found themselves unemployed as the coronavirus pandemic has scythed through the world’s biggest economy. This abrupt reversal of fortune for the economic victims of the virus happened almost overnight, turning lives upside down as
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