Photo taken on March 19, 2020 shows an almost empty departure hall at the Singapore Changi Airport in Singapore. Singapore reported 47 new cases by Wednesday noon, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 313. Of the record high of 47, 33 were imported ones, 30 of whom were Singapore residents returning from abroad. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
SINGAPORE, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 47 new cases by Wednesday noon, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 313.
Of the record high of 47, 33 were imported ones, 30 of whom were Singapore residents returning from abroad.
The Singapore government also announced on Wednesday that local residents and short-term visitors must observe a 14-day self-isolation period on entering Singapore starting from 11:59 pm March 20.
From then on, Singaporeans, permanent residents, long-term pass holders returning to the country and short-term visitors visiting Singapore will have to serve a 14-day self-isolation at home or hotels, while people in the country should defer all travel overseas, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the Multi-Ministry Taskforce to combat the COVID-19 at a press conference.
Over the past three days, about 70 percent of the new COVID-19 cases in Singapore were imported, most of whom were Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning to Singapore after travelling abroad, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce set up in the city-state to combat the spread of COVID-19.
As more Singaporeans, such as students and workers, are returning home, Singapore has to be mentally prepared that the number could remain high in the coming days, Wong added.
The travel restrictions banning short-term visitors who had visited the Chinese Mainland, South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Spain and Germany in the past 14 days from entering or transiting in Singapore still remain in place.
The number of new cases in Singapore has been on the rise every day, with 14, 17 and 23 cases on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday respectively.
