Singapore morning news for February 3, 2020

No new cases of Wuhan coronavirus in Singapore, total remains at 18: MOH
The number of Wuhan coronavirus cases in Singapore remained at 18 with no new cases reported on Sunday (Feb 2), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a daily update.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore to bar travellers who have been to China for past 14 days or with China passport from entering or transiting
From Sunday (2 Feb) onwards, all travellers arriving from mainland China who had been there in the past 14 days, as well as anyone with a China passport, will be barred from entry or transit in Singapore.
— The Online Citizen

About 30,000 work pass holders from China yet to return after Chinese New Year break: Josephine Teo
About 30,000 work pass holders who are of Chinese nationality left Singapore over the Chinese New Year break and have not returned, said Manpower Minister Josephine Teo on Sunday (Feb 2).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Wuhan virus: 15 travellers refused entry into S’pore less than a day after travel restriction enforced
They were refused entry due to either their travel histories to mainland China in the last 14 days, or suspension of visa facilities.
— Mothership

EU-Singapore FTA will still apply to UK during Brexit transition: MTI
A FREE trade agreement (FTA) between Singapore and the European Union (EU) will continue to apply to the UK during the Brexit transition period of Feb 1 to Dec 31, according to the Republic’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).
— The Business Times

Government will step up efforts to help re-train middle-aged workers
The government will step up efforts to train middle-aged workers in their 40s and 50s with new skills to take on jobs of the future, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on Sunday (Feb 2).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Housing loans shrink for 12th straight month in December
HOUSING loans in Singapore shrank for the 12th straight month in December, leading to a fall in total consumer loans, preliminary Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) data showed on Friday.
— The Business Times

Nearly 1,000 students, staff on leave of absence after returning from China, says MOE
A total of 967 students and employees from schools in Singapore have been placed on a leave of absence because of their recent travel history to China, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Friday (Jan 31).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Wuhan coronavirus: Licence fees waived for hotels, travel agents and tour guides, cleaning costs subsidised
Licence fees for hotels, travel agents and tour guides will be waived as part of measures to help the tourism sector in Singapore that has been “directly affected” by the Wuhan coronavirus, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Sunday (Feb 2).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Wuhan virus: 6% of Singapore households collected masks on first day of distribution on Saturday
Mr Lee said the authorities have paced out the distribution, which will end on Feb 9, to ensure that it is orderly.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore Government: No need to wear mask if you are well
Last Friday, Reuters reported that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the new Wuhan virus did not appear to be as deadly as the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic (‘Wuhan virus does not appear to be as deadly as SARS, Singapore PM says’, 24 Jan).
— The Online Citizen

Systems running smoothly at Singapore’s checkpoints during temperature screening measures: Shanmugam
Systems at Singapore’s checkpoints are running “smoothly” in the face of additional measures to guard against the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, said Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam on Saturday (Feb 1).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

DPM Heng to give outline of Budget moves to mitigate virus impact
THREE weeks before the national Budget, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat is already on his way to outlining the support that businesses can expect, as Singapore digs in for a tough time from the impact of the Wuhan virus outbreak on growth.
— The Business Times

SIA, SilkAir, Scoot slashing capacity on selected China routes
WITH flight demand slashed by the Wuhan virus outbreak, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its subsidiaries SilkAir and Scoot will reduce capacity on selected routes to Greater China in February, subject to regulatory approval.
— The Business Times

Wuhan virus outbreak likely to have ‘much wider and deeper impact’ than Sars: Chan Chun Sing
THE novel coronavirus outbreak is likely to have a much wider and deeper impact on the world economy than the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) episode of 2003, with the Singapore government closely watching the impact on jobs here, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on Sunday.
— The Business Times

Safeguarding jobs, businesses primary focus in Singapore’s battle against Wuhan virus: Chan Chun Sing
Protecting the jobs of Singaporeans and ensuring the survival of businesses will be the Government’s primary focus, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, as the country hunkers down for what could be a protracted battle with the novel coronavirus.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore focused on minimising risk of community spread of Wuhan coronavirus: Iswaran
Singapore remains focused on minimising the risk of a community spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, said Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran on Sunday (Feb 2).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Targeted help for transport, tourism sectors worst hit by Wuhan virus outbreak in Budget 2020
The transport and tourism sectors, worst hit by the coronavirus situation, will get targeted help in the coming Budget on top of broader measures to address any wider economic slowdown, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Teachers use MOE video to educate students on responsible use of masks
If you have a fever, cough, or runny nose, or feeling unwell, please wear a mask.
— Mothership

Singapore’s infectious diseases centre staff trained, prepared for outbreaks like Wuhan virus
Even as the 2019-nCoV outbreak has kept the staff at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) busy, they are taking it in their stride, having anticipated an outbreak like the current one.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

No need to avoid places visited by confirmed patients
The authorities have said there is no need to avoid places where people suspected or confirmed to have the Wuhan coronavirus have been.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Carousellers in S’pore giving away free masks to those who need them
In the wake of the Wuhan virus scare, some Carousellers have taken the initiative to provide free masks to those who need them.
— Mothership

PM Lee: Anti-China sentiments unhelpful during Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
He said that he is confident that China and other countries will work together to fight the disease.
— Mothership

PM Lee confident China and other nations will work together to beat virus
China is doing all it can to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and Singapore’s efforts will complement this, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Extra help for private-hire, taxi drivers under quarantine
Less than a month in, Singapore’s transport and tourism industries are already badly hit by the Wuhan virus situation.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

More warm days ahead despite monsoon
Warm weather with occasionally windy conditions on most days can be expected in the first two weeks of this month, even as the north-east monsoon season persists, said the weatherman on Friday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

It’s quieter than usual at Singapore tourist spots
Visitors to popular tourist haunts like Orchard Road, Chinatown, Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa would have noticed quieter-than-usual crowds over the weekend.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

No need to kill your travel bug, with the right precautions
Even as apprehension builds over the global spread of the novel coronavirus, there might be a way around abandoning your travel plans for the new year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore maths adds up for educators around the world
The irony will not be lost on British educators. In 2019, Singapore commemorated the 200th year since Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on its shores.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Wuhan coronavirus: Singapore Airshow organiser ‘undoubtedly’ expects fewer exhibitors, visitors
This year’s Singapore Airshow is expected to see fewer exhibitors and visitors as the country implements more stringent measures to contain the deadly Wuhan coronavirus, its organiser said.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

SIA proposes joint venture with Japan’s ANA
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) and Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) on Friday signed a joint venture (JV) framework agreement, with a view to boosting the Singapore and Japan air hubs and improving flight connectivity for passengers.
— The Business Times

Manufacturers’ business sentiment improves; service sectors less upbeat
COMPANIES in Singapore’s manufacturing sector expect business conditions to improve in the first half of 2020, although the services sector is less optimistic.
— The Business Times

While others hoard and profiteer over the Wuhan virus crisis, discount store owner offers free masks for children
As the number of those infected with the Wuhan virus in Singapore creeps up to 13 as of Jan 31, many Singaporeans have rushed to stock up on hand sanitisers and face masks in a bid to protect themselves and their loved ones.
— The Pride

Ho Ching shares how to use 40% alcohol vodka or maotai as improvised hand sanitiser
Amidst the Wuhan virus scare, people are grabbing face masks, hand sanitisers and disinfectants like there is no tomorrow.
— Mothership

A game changer for Singapore’s climate policies?
AS CLIMATE change increasingly occupies public discourse in Singapore, observers are expecting it to feature more strongly in Budget 2020, alongside the government’s priorities in business restructuring and social spending.
— The Business Times

Companies vying for digital bank licence may face uphill battle, say experts
As digital banks look set to make their debut here later this year, observers say it may be an uphill task for them to build a customer base against more established conventional banks.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Law does not prohibit activities under nature reserve, says NParks
A law protecting nature reserves does not prevent underground activities from being carried out at one.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Workload heavier but NCID’s front-line staff take it in their stride
Even as the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak keeps the staff at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) busy, they are taking it in their stride, having anticipated an outbreak like the current one.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Commentary: As a parent, I worry about my kids and the Wuhan coronavirus situation. So I’m taking action
News of the Wuhan coronavirus have created anxiety and fear among parents. June Yong admits she shares some of these sentiments but shares her experience on what’s getting her through.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Fighting the Wuhan virus: How Singapore tackled previous epidemics
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in Singapore lasted from March to July 2003.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

How viruses spread from animals to humans
Viruses are everywhere, and in almost every living thing on the planet.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Families talk about death over dinner in NTU video project
How do you want your funeral to be like? might not seem like the most palatable of dinner table questions – but it can offer plenty of food for thought.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Lohei with PM Lee
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, tossing yusheng – or lohei – yesterday at the Chinese New Year dinner at his Teck Ghee ward.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

What is a perpetual bond?
A perpetual bond is a fixed-income security with no maturity date. Theoretically, that means holders of the bond will receive interest payments forever.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

‘I saw Singapore’s first SARS case; I’m still alive and standing’: At the frontline of the Wuhan coronavirus
When she met with Singapore’s first severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patient 17 years ago, Dr Brenda Ang was not wearing any protective equipment.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Commentary: The Singapore Sports School crushed Assumption Pathway 32-0. Nothing wrong with that
Sports offer an ideal vehicle for some difficult lessons that young athletes could well benefit from, says Shamir Osman.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

The Singaporean designer who changed the way we look at the cheongsam
An interest in Chinese heritage and a love for its most iconic cultural garment spurred Goh Lai Chan to make it relevant for modern women.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Caution over virus outbreak brings corporate events to a halt
NUMEROUS corporate events were cancelled or rejigged on Friday as some companies took precautions amid news of the coronavirus outbreak being raised to a global health emergency.
— The Business Times

Singapore Pools’ iTOTO, phone 4D Quick Pick and Quick Pick Roll bets hit by software errors
Singapore Pools’ phone 4D Quick Pick, Quick Pick Roll bets and some iTOTO bets have been hit by software errors that went on for at least a year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday (Jan 31).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Stars raise $9,000 for Chiam See Tong Sports Fund
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2020: More than 400 fans turned up at the Our Tampines Hub (OTH) to cheer on the Celebrities Sports Club and the Singapore Ex-Internationals as they raised more than $9,000 for the Chiam See Tong Sports Fund (CSTSF) through the CSTSF Charity Shield 2020.
— The Online Citizen

Singapore services sector lacks optimism despite manufacturers expecting better business conditions
Companies in Singapore’s services sector are less optimistic about future business conditions in the first half of this year whereas those in the manufacturing sector are more optimistic.
— The Online Citizen

Man throws hot porridge at Whampoa hawker because his egg was not completely cooked
A man threw his hot porridge at a female hawker because his egg was not completely cooked.
— Mothership

Bus driver trapped, 6 passengers injured after accident at Changi Airport bus interchange
An accident at Changi Airport Terminal 2 bus interchange on Sunday (Feb 2) left the bus driver trapped and six passengers injured after the bus they were in hit a concrete pillar.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Chicken rice hawker in Katong, 26, also juggles being a TikTok influencer & passion for theatre
Katong Shopping Centre is a 47-year-old strata mall that houses a handful of maid agencies and some interesting businesses, including ghostbusters and a bakery selling old-school banana pie.
— Mothership

S’pore teenage mum was ostracised by classmates, barred from going out & got phone smashed by dad
Stories Of Us: While being confined at home, she cried every day and entertained suicidal thoughts because she had nobody to talk to about her situation.
— Mothership

Real estate investing in the Year of the Rat
Asian markets have just ushered in the Year of the Rat, marking the beginning of another 12-year zodiac cycle.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

A whole new world
Attending the National Silver Academy’s digital courses helps Ms Brenda Yap to be savvier in this digital age.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Commentary: Lucky to have flown out of Wuhan, but many feel mixture of concern and uncertainty
Having defied logistical obstacles to leave, evacuees now face two weeks in quarantine.
— CNA

Prosecution seeks jail for expelled Yale-NUS student who filmed shower videos of housemates
Prosecutors on Friday (Jan 31) sought a jail term of more than seven months for a student who was expelled from Yale-NUS College after taking shower videos of his housemates and upskirt photos on campus.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

When I suffered from painful cramps while driving, a group of foreign workers came to my aid
On Jan 17, I was driving from Ang Mo Kio towards Yishun at around 2pm when I suddenly experienced bad muscle cramps in my right leg.
— The Pride

Feature photo National Environment Agency (NEA)

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo focuses on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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Singapore morning news for February 3 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on February 3, 2020
View all posts by Justhine De Guzman Uy →

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Justhine De Guzman Uy

Writer at AEC News Today

Justhine De Guzman Uy completed a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communication at New Era University, Quezon City, the Philippines in 2016

After graduation she worked at the Philippine Broadcasting Service performing transcription and business news writing, before moving to Eagle Broadcasting Corporation where she worked as a news editor, translator and production assistant.