The total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore has passed the 300 mark, as the country confirms 47 new cases of COVID-19 infection here, bringing the total to 313.
This is the highest number of confirmed daily cases reported so far.
According to the Ministry of Health, 33 of the new cases reported are imported and includes 30 returning Singapore residents who were infected overseas and returned with the virus from abroad. The imported cases comprise citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders.
Of the imported cases, 19 have a travel history to Europe while six had been in North America. Another six cases have a travel history to ASEAN nations while one travelled beyond to other parts of Asia. The remaining imported case had travelled to both Europe and North America.
Meanwhile, nine of the new cases are linked to previously announced cases while 5 are currently unlinked, the health agency said.
33 of 47 New Cases Of COVID-19 Are Imported, Travel Advisory Raised To "Defer All Travel Abroad"
In a press briefing, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said "we can not afford to take further risk if the number of these imported cases continue to rise and that's why we are imposing additional border controls and travel restrictions today."
In view of the heightened risk of further importation of COVID-19 to Singapore, Singaporeans are now advised to defer all travel abroad with immediate effect.
For inbound travellers to Singapore, a tiered system of controls will be put in place. This includes:
- a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) to all travellers entering Singapore from 20 March 2020, 2359 hours.
- no-entry or transit in Singapore for all short-term visitors with recent travel history to mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea and Spain.
Those under the stay-home order will have to remain in their place of residence at all times for 14 days after entering Singapore, the government said.
Meanwhile, the existing measures which apply to all inbound travellers, such as requiring those who exhibit fever as well as other symptoms of respiratory illness to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the checkpoints, will continue to apply.