Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Short-term housing options available for some workers who commute between Singapore and Malaysia frequently
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The Government will make available a range of short-term housing options for some workers who commute frequently between Singapore and Malaysia, in light of Malaysia’s travel restrictions. Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday (Mar 16) night that there would be a ban on Malaysians travelling overseas and on visitors entering the country under a
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Valencia had stringent precautionary measures, but still not a surprise that players tested positive for COVID-19: President
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Given the spread of COVID-19 in Spain, it was “not alarming nor surprising” that players from Spanish top flight side Valencia tested positive for the disease, said Singaporean club president Anil Murthy. Speaking to CNA in an exclusive interview, Mr Murthy said that club began taking precautions in February, adding that the club had been proactive in applying “kiasu” standards
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Taj Mahal closed; Mumbai orders offices to keep half of workers at home
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MUMBAI: India closed the Taj Mahal, its top tourist site, and the financial hub of Mumbai ordered offices providing non-essential services to function at 50 per cent staffing levels as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in South Asia ramped up. Mumbai, a densely populated metropolis of 18 million, also authorised hospital and airport
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
‘Elderly hour’ in Australia stores as panic-buying continues
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SYDNEY: Australia’s elderly were let in early to supermarkets on Tuesday (Mar 17) but there were still scenes of coronavirus panic buying in some areas, with reports of empty shelves and large queues. After rushes on groceries, the country’s biggest supermarket chain opened exclusively for elderly and disabled shoppers for an hour in an attempt
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Man admits molesting, sexually abusing his 13-year-old daughter
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: A 47-year-old man admitted in court on Tuesday (Mar 17) to repeatedly molesting his 13-year-old daughter while they were alone at home. The man, a Singapore permanent resident, cannot be named as it will identify the victim. Advertisement Advertisement The court heard that he molested his daughter between August 2016 and July 2017, causing
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Australia considers tougher movement restrictions to combat COVID-19
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SYDNEY: Australia is considering tougher restrictions on public gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the Sydney Opera House closed its doors, national airline Qantas slashed its international flight capacity and courts suspended hearings. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with the newly formed national cabinet, an emergency response team that includes state
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Arrivals in Hong Kong to be subject to 14-day quarantine
News Business Article
HONG KONG: Hong Kong will quarantine arrivals in the city for 14 days starting midnight on Thursday (Mar 19) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Asian financial hub’s leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday. Those arriving in Hong Kong will be put under home quarantine, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. Advertisement Advertisement
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Singapore’s exports fall 4.8% month-on-month in February
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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell 4.8 per cent on a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis in February, reversing the previous month’s 4.5 per cent growth. Non-electronic domestic exports declined, while electronics grew, according to official data released Tuesday (Mar 17). Advertisement Advertisement Total trade declined over the month, falling by 8.6 per cent in
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Australian carrier Qantas slashes international routes 90%
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SYDNEY: Australian airline Qantas announced Tuesday (Mar 17) it was slashing its international capacity by 90 percent and domestic flights by 60 per cent in a further coronavirus blow to the beleaguered travel industry. Facing a growing list of travel bans around the globe and a “precipitous decline in demand”, Qantas said the cutbacks would continue
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
MOM sets out guidelines for employers over employees’ travel during COVID-19 outbreak
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), together with the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, on Monday (Mar 16) issued an advisory for employers on how they should handle their employees’ travel movements in response to COVID-19. The advisory follows an announcement by the Ministry of Health on Mar 15, advising the
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Singapore ‘not facing any immediate risks of running out of food’: Chan Chun Sing on Malaysia’s restricted movement order
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SINGAPORE: Singapore is not facing immediate risks of running out of food or essential supplies, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Monday (Mar 16), shortly after Malaysia announced travel restrictions into and out of the country. “The Government has been actively working with essential firms such as NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Siong and Dairy
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
US begins first human trial of coronavirus vaccine
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: The first human trial to evaluate a candidate vaccine against the new coronavirus has begun in Seattle, US health officials said on Monday (Mar 16), raising hopes in the global fight against the disease. But it may be another year to 18 months before it becomes available, once it has passed more trial phases to
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 17, 2020
Commentary: Is the UK’s herd immunity strategy to combat COVID-19 worth pursuing?
News Business Article
Commentary Commentary Achieving herd immunity to COVID-19 in the UK could result in the deaths of more than 1 million people with a further 8 million severe infections requiring critical care, says an observer. People wearing protective face masks are pictured near Buckingham Palace in central London. Tolga AKMEN/AFP 17 Mar 2020 06:14AM(Updated: 17 Mar
Commentary: COVID-19, the biggest crisis ever for Singapore’s aviation industry and Singapore Airlines
SINGAPORE: International travel is grinding to a virtual halt as the COVID-19 outbreak prompts a fast-growing list of countries to impose travel restrictions. Most international flights could be suspended for at least several weeks, creating an unprecedented crisis for the global airline industry. Advertisement Advertisement Asia’s airline industry has already been dealing with the COVID-19