On Mar. 22, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced new and more stringent measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in Singapore.

No more short-term visitors

From Mar. 23, 2020, 11:59pm onwards, all short-term visitors from anywhere in the world will be barred from entering or transiting through Singapore.

This is in part to curb the rise in imported Covid-19 cases.

The Ministry of Manpower will also be limiting the entry or return of work pass holders.

Only those providing essential services like healthcare and transport will be allowed entry or return.

Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass holders can still return to Singapore, and will be issued a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN).

To safeguard Singapore's resources

Previously, short-term visitors were allowed to come into Singapore, but were required to serve a 14-day SHN upon arrival, regardless of whether swab tests conducted were negative.

However, MTF stated that resources were being expended to serve and enforce these SHNs. Additionally, if these people fell ill, resources were required for medical treatment.

On Mar. 21, there were still 533 short-term visitors arriving in Singapore.

Furthermore, there has been a sharp increase in cases around the world.

To date, there are over 260,000 Covid-19 cases across 185 countries, and around 11,200 deaths.

Singapore saw its first two Covid-19-related deaths on Mar. 21 as well.

MTF stated that majority of new cases announced in the past three days were imported, with most of them either Singapore residents or Long Term Pass holders returning from overseas.

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Top photo from Shawn Ang / Unsplash and Tan Guan Zhen