The Singapore way: eight steps to fight the coronavirus as thousands return home
- The island nation has closed its borders to foreigners, but is expecting some of its 200,000 overseas-based citizens to return as the pandemic rages on
- As the epicentre of contagion moves from Europe to the US, about 1,200 people are returning to Singapore daily from the US and Britain
National development minister Lawrence Wong said about 1,200 Singaporeans were flocking back to the city state daily from the US and Britain, while about 38,000 people had thus far been issued with 14-day self-quarantine orders.
Senior minister Teo Chee Hean said the government would not rule out holding a general election despite present conditions being “not ideal”, as the crisis could continue for some time.
“When you are sailing into a storm, you want to be certain who your captain is and that he will not change halfway,” he said.
Health minister Gan Kim Yong also spoke about the country’s response to the pandemic that has infected more than 400,000 people around the world, killing more than 18,000.
At least 50 of Singapore’s 100 members of parliament – including three non-constituency MPs and nine nominated MPs – attended the Wednesday sitting. They sat at least one seat apart, in line with the country’s previously announced social distancing measures.