Australia tightens quarantine rules to combat coronavirus, warns of fines
MELBOURNE: Australian troops will begin on Saturday (Mar 28) taking citizens returning from overseas to compulsory quarantine places to prevent spread of the coronavirus, as Victoria officials closed beaches on a warm autumn day amid public resistance, warning of fines. The compulsory self-isolation for travellers in hotels and other lodgings across Australia comes as the
Stranded by coronavirus lockdown, India migrant workers walk home
NEW DELHI: With India locked down over the coronavirus and no way to earn money, Dilipji Thakor faces a grim choice: either walk home or die hungry. Thakor is among millions of migrant workers left jobless and penniless by the full shutdown of the country on Wednesday that has sparked an exodus from major cities.
Message circulating online about safe-distancing ambassadors imposing fines untrue: Enterprise Singapore
SINGAPORE: A message circulating on messaging platforms and social media claiming that an Enterprise Singapore safe-distancing ambassador had fined someone for sitting on a seat that was marked out as part of safe-distancing measures is false. In a Facebook post late on Friday (Mar 27), Enterprise Singapore confirmed that the rumour is not true. Advertisement Advertisement
COVID-19: Singaporeans urged to defer non-essential trips to malls
SINGAPORE: Authorities are urging those in Singapore to defer non-essential trips to malls, after safe-distancing measures kicked in across the country. In a WhatsApp message sent by Gov.sg on Saturday (Mar 28), authorities advised people to stay home and only head to a mall for essentials, such as food, adding that food and groceries can be
South Korea reports 146 new coronavirus cases, highest in a week
SEOUL: South Korea reported 146 new coronavirus cases on Friday (Mar 27), the highest number in a week, its disease control agency said on Saturday, with the country suffering a rise in imported cases from Europe and the United States during recent days. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) did not say how
SingPost says 3 employees infected with COVID-19 did not have contact with public
SINGAPORE: National postman Singapore Post said on Friday (Mar 27) that a contract staff and two full-time employees at its packet-processing facility at SingPost Centre have tested positive for COVID-19, and that cleaning and disinfecting is under way. The three individuals are not postmen and do not have contact with members of the public in
COVID-19: Entry approval required for all long-term pass holders entering Singapore
SINGAPORE: All long-term pass holders will require an entry approval before entering or returning to Singapore from Sunday (Mar 29) at 11.59pm, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM). In a media release on Saturday, ICA, MOE and MOM said the additional precautionary measures are in view
As US COVID-19 cases exceed 100,000, doctors decry scarcity of drugs and equipment
NEW YORK: Doctors and nurses on the front lines of the U.S. coronavirus crisis pleaded on Friday (Mar 27) for more protective gear and equipment to treat waves of patients expected to overwhelm hospitals as the number of known U.S. infections surpassed 100,000, with more than 1,600 dead. Physicians have called particular attention to a
China’s COVID-19 epicentre Wuhan eases travel restrictions after lockdown
WUHAN: The Chinese city of 11 million people that was Ground Zero for what became the global coronavirus pandemic partly reopened Saturday, after more than two months of almost total isolation. Wuhan was placed under lockdown in January with residents forbidden to leave, roadblocks installed and millions subjected to dramatic restrictions on their daily life. Advertisement
Shangri-La Dialogue 2020 cancelled over COVID-19 pandemic
SINGAPORE: This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue will not be convened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said early on Saturday (Mar 28). The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an international affairs think-tank, said it had decided after close consultation with host country Singapore to not convene this year’s summit. Advertisement Advertisement “Many countries have imposed travel restrictions
No decision yet on General Election amid COVID-19 outbreak, says PM Lee
SINGAPORE: No decision has yet been made as to when a General Election will be called, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday (Mar 27). When asked about a possible General Election amid the current COVID-19 outbreak, Mr Lee said that the Government needs to consider if it is possible for them to conduct
Government doing all that it can to stabilise economy, save jobs and businesses amid COVID-19: PM Lee
SINGAPORE: The Government is doing all it can to stabilise the economy, preserve jobs and help businesses stay afloat amid the grave economic challenge brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Mar 27). It is also prepared to do more, said Mr Lee. “Whatever it takes to do
‘The tide is still coming in’: PM Lee says COVID-19’s impact on healthcare a ‘very big problem’
SINGAPORE: Singapore is in a “grave situation” in terms of health and economy because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Mar 27). Speaking at the Istana a day after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced a supplementary Budget in response to the outbreak, Mr Lee
East Coast: Advantage PAP in redrawn GRC at the next General Election?
SINGAPORE: With political parties likely to field high-profile candidates in East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) at the next General Election, observers expect a stiff contest for the vote, although they said the People’s Action Party (PAP) is likely to have an edge. The GRC has re-absorbed neighbouring Fengshan Single Member Constituency (SMC) following the redrawing
