Singapore expects economy to be hit by Wuhan virus, is now screening every flight landing at Changi Airport

The island nation says it is considering measures to support the tourism industry, including property tax rebates and a workers’ levy reduction

It is also bracing for more imported cases of the virus, while students and school staff who returned from China recently will be given a 14-day leave of absence

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A nurse and a visitor at Singapore General Hospital. The island nation has confirmed four cases of the coronavirus, all of which are travellers from Wuhan. Photo: EPA

Published: 6:00pm, 27 Jan 2020Updated: 3:04pm, 25 Feb 2020

Singapore is anticipating that the coronavirus outbreak will hit its economy this year, as it braces for more imported cases and announces new measures to contain the virus – including temperature screenings on every flight arriving at Changi Airport.

“We certainly expect there to be an impact on our economy, business and consumer confidence this year especially as the situation is expected to persist for some time,” Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said.

Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, who is also co-chair of the country’s multi-ministry task force set up to deal with the Wuhan virus, said Singapore was ready to respond if needed, whether it was “in the budget or as an off-budget package”. The island nation’s budget is to be delivered on February 18.

Chan and Wong were among 10 ministers speaking at a Monday press briefing, the bulk of them from the government’s 4G leaders – a reference to the fourth generation of politicians from the ruling People’s Action Party.

“We’ll make sure we have resources available to help support our businesses, vulnerable groups, as well as the economy,” Wong said, identifying retail and tourism as areas that would be impacted, especially when travel restrictions start to bite.

There have been more than 2,800 cases of the virus around the world and 80 deaths reported in China. Singapore has confirmed five cases of the coronavirus, all of which are travellers from Wuhan.

Chinese nationals make up the largest share of visitors to Singapore, accounting for 18 per cent of arrivals in 2018, according to Singapore Tourism Board statistics. Chan said the country had a “very diversified portfolio” of tourist arrivals from different countries.