The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has deployed more than 180 police officers to safeguard law and order within government quarantine facilities (GQF) islandwide amid the coronavirus outbreak, said the SPF today (Feb. 10).

Police officers would patrol around these facilities to ensure that persons serving quarantine orders comply with the arrangements and are safe from crime within said facilities.

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam visited the government quarantine facility at the Civil Service Club at Changi II, today.

Speaking to the media, Shanmugam said that over time, more quarantine facilities will be set up, which will require more police effort.

"It's been a lot of strain for them...day to day operations carry on, meanwhile they support here," he said.

The SPF is working with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Development and facility managers to assist the welfare needs of persons under quarantine (such as food supply) and to escort them to hospitals if need be.

Furthermore, SPF also assists in contact tracing of individuals at high risk of contracting the coronavirus.

Regarding the personal safety of the police officers, Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) of Police Julius Lim said:

"The police has also spared no efforts to care for our officers, including making sure that they have the appropriate protective gear."

The police declined to reveal the number of people currently under quarantine, but National Development Minister Lawrence Wong had said that there were 524 people under quarantine last week (Feb. 3)

More details will be shared regarding the facilities available for persons under quarantine later this week, said a police spokesperson.

"The SPF stands ready to play our part to help bring this outbreak under control, regardless of how prolonged the situation may be," said DAC Lim.

Top photo by Rexanne Yap.