Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has come out to address the Wuhan virus spread by urging Singaporeans to take precautionary measures.
PM Lee's comments made in a Facebook post on Jan. 28 evening came after news that the sixth and seventh persons in Singapore have been tested positive for the coronavirus that has spread to thousands worldwide.
He spoke about the Wuhan virus previously in his 2020 Chinese New Year message and his media interview in Davos, Switzerland where he was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF).
PM Lee gave his reassurance that Singapore's hospitals and healthcare workers are prepared to deal with this latest virus spread, after learning lessons from the SARS epidemic in 2003.
He also reassured Singaporeans that this latest virus spread is more infectious but less deadly, and that locals being tested positive could be a possibility in time to come.
All seven cases in Singapore so far involve Chinese nationals.
PM Lee wrote that measures have been put in place to suspend entry into or transit through Singapore for people who have recently travelled to Hubei, and those with PRC passports issued in Hubei.
Singapore residents and those holding long term passes who are returning here, who have recently visited Hubei, will be quarantined.
Personal precautionary measures
PM Lee also provided advice for what Singaporeans should do during this period.
He reminded Singaporeans to wash their hands regularly and to not wear masks if they are not ill.
He also reminded Singaporeans not to share fake news:
Also please do not listen to or spread rumours and untrue reports — alas there is a lot of that circulating around, on WhatsApp and social media. Sharing news responsibly is an important way we can protect ourselves.
It was previously reported that personal care chain Watsons and supermarket NTUC FairPrice are rationing the number of masks that customers in Singapore can buy at one time.