Singapore issues travel advisory and reinstates mask mandate amid Covid outbreak

July 10, 2024

3 1 minute read

Singapore Issues Travel Advisory And Reinstates Mask Mandates Covid Outbreak

After a rise of 56,000 COVID cases, the Singapore government has issued an update guidelines for both travelers and citizens. The Ministry of Health in Singapore introduced these measures in response to the increased number of infections.

Based on the latest data, approximately 56,043 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the week of December 3 to 9, 2023. Comparing this to the 32,035 cases reported the week before, there has been a significant increase. Compared to the previous week, the average number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased from 225 to 350, and the average number of intensive care unit (ICU) cases increased from four to nine.

In response to the current circumstances, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with public hospitals to develop safety plans. These plans include a number of actions, such as ensuring there are sufficient staff and postponing elective surgeries that are not urgent. The aim is to increase the number of beds, especially for emergencies.

The Ministry of Health plans to open a new COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) at Hall 10 of the Singapore EXPO. It will help more than 80 stable COVID-19 patients who do not require intensive hospital care.

It is strongly recommended that people with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection (ARI) stay at home. Precautions such as wearing masks, limiting social contacts and staying away from crowded places are advised for interactions that cannot be avoided.

It is recommended that Travelers are taking precautions such as wearing masks in airports, purchasing travel insurance and avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated areas. The public is urged to use emergency departments only for serious or life-threatening situations in order to maximize hospital resources.

The ministry also underlined how crucial vaccination is in the fight against COVID-19. Those who keep vaccination records up to date will see a reduction in hospitalizations, especially if they recently took a booster shot.