The Ministry of Health (MOH) has stepped up security measures against the Wuhan virus.

In a press conference on Jan. 28, MOH identified three groups of people that will be regulated by the measures:

1. Recent travellers from Hubei already in Singapore
2. Returning residents and long-term pass holders with travel history in Hubei or PRC passports issued in Hubei
3. New visitors with travel history to Hubei or PRC passports issued in Hubei

Two more cases of the virus were also confirmed at the press conference, bringing the total number of infected cases in Singapore up to seven.

All seven cases are in stable condition.

1. Recent travellers from Hubei already in Singapore

MOH has started contacting individuals with Hubei travel history and Chinese nationals with Hubei passports.

There are about 2,000 of such individuals, with 1,000 of them on short-term visit passes.

Those who are accessed to be of higher risk will be quarantined.

Assessment criteria are:

• Contact with person with Wuhan virus
• Recent visit to hospitals in China
• Date of arrival in Singapore

2. Returning residents and long-term pass holders

The follow individuals under this group will be quarantined as well:

• Returning residents (Singaporeans and PRs) with Hubei travel history within the past 14 days.
• Returning long-term pass holders with Hubei travel history within the past 14 days. This includes work passes, Dependant's Passes, and long-term visit passes (LTVP).
• Returning PRs and long-term pass holders with PRC passports issued in Hubei.

Singaporeans are given the option to be quarantined at home.

Individuals under quarantine should be able to isolate themselves such that they have own toilet facilities, and not mix with other individuals within the home.

During this period, they are not to leave their homes.

Phone calls and visits will be used to make sure they are quarantined.

If home quarantine is not possible, the individuals have the option of requesting to be quarantined in government facilities.

Those who fail to comply with the quarantine orders will be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.

3. New visitors with recent Hubei travel history denied entry

From Jan. 29, 12pm, all new visitors with Hubei travel history within the last 14 days and holders of PRC passports issued in Hubei will be denied entry into Singapore.

They will also be unable to transit through Singapore.

Travellers who are arriving in Singapore after the ban is in effect will have to make their own arrangements with the airlines.

However, those who have symptoms will be sent to local hospitals.

With immediate effect, the following will be suspended for holders of PRC passports issued in Hubei:

• Issuance of all forms of new visas
• Previously-issued short-term visas and multiple-visit visas
• Visa-free transit facilities

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Image by Muhammad Hasbi from Pixabay