Singapore reports 682 new COVID-19 cases
Singapore reported 682 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Sunday (May 17), taking the country’s total to 28,038.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Next Jobs Support Scheme payout to be disbursed from May 28
THE next installment of wage support totaling S$4 billion for over 140,000 employers will be disbursed from May 28, as part of the enhanced Jobs Support Scheme (JSS), the Ministry of Finance said in a press statement on May 17.
— The Business Times
No Hari Raya Aidilfitri visits this year; haj pilgrimage for Singaporeans to be deferred amid Covid-19 pandemic
There should not be Hari Raya visits or gatherings during the circuit breaker period this year, and Singaporean pilgrims will have to defer the annual haj pilgrimage to Mecca to 2021, in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) announced on Friday (May 15).
— Straits Times
Some construction to resume from June 2, with special rules
FROM June 2, some construction projects will gradually be allowed to resume work, as will suspended residential renovation works.
— The Business Times
Coronavirus: Singapore jails American pilot for four weeks for breaching stay-at-home order
A pilot hired by FedEx has been sentenced to four weeks in jail in Singapore, after he breached a stay-at-home order by leaving his hotel room and travelling downtown to buy face masks and a thermometer.
— SCMP
Migrant workers evicted after MOM steps up inspections at non-dorm homes for safe-distancing issues
As Singapore’s COVID-19 cases increase rapidly in the last several weeks, the Government has been putting in place various measures to stem the spread of the virus.
— The Online Citizen
67-year-old Singaporean man is country’s 22nd COVID-19 fatality
A 67-year-old Singaporean man has died from complications due to COVID-19, bringing the country’s total number of fatalities from the disease to 22.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
New COVID-19 test developed in Singapore detects past infection within an hour
A new COVID-19 test that can rapidly assess if a person has been previously infected with the coronavirus is now available to hospitals in Singapore.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Coronavirus: Many of the current restrictions to continue even after circuit breaker ends, says Lawrence Wong
Singapore should be fully prepared that many of the current restrictions and circuit breaker measures in place will continue for some time even after June 1, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Police to use autonomous drones to patrol industrial estates
New drones which can fly beyond the operator’s line of sight, and which can be operated without an on-site operator, are currently being trialled by the police, who hope to use it to complement their ground operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Coronavirus: 18 discharged despite testing positive as they cannot infect others: MOH
A group of Covid-19 patients who were discharged from a community care facility yesterday despite testing positive are not infectious and do not pose a threat to the community, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Swabber jobs paying S$3,800 a month are short-term positions: MOH
THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has clarified that the swab operations jobs that pay S$3,400 to S$3,800 a month are short-term contract roles with no progression pathway. These positions also do not include any additional allowances or bonuses.
— The Business Times
Preparing for a new normal amid Covid-19: Pre-schools make plans to ensure safety when kids return
Preparations are under way at pre-schools to reopen their doors to pupils, even as around 30,000 staff, including administrative staff and teachers, undergo mandatory Covid-19 swab tests.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Number of COVID-19 community cases ‘likely’ to go up as circuit breaker measures are eased: Gan Kim Yong
Circuit breaker measures need to be lifted carefully and slowly, as the number of COVID-19 community cases is likely to increase as some of the measures are rolled back, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday (May 15).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore new private home sales plunge 58% in April amid COVID-19 circuit breaker
Sales of new private homes last month plunged 58 per cent from March as a result of circuit breaker restrictions, with analysts expecting the property market to remain muted in May.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
About 6,000 pre-school staff have undergone precautionary Covid-19 swab tests
Around 6,000 pre-school staff have undergone precautionary tests for Covid-19 so far, said Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee on Sunday (May 17).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
COVID-19: Meeting new travel demands among focus of Singapore Airlines’ newly created task force
COVID-19 will change the world’s jet-setting ways, with health and sanitation concerns likely to remain top on travellers’ minds even in a post-pandemic world.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Police report filed over explicit images of individuals in SAF uniform: MINDEF
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has filed a police report about an explicit tweet with photos featuring two individuals in army uniform engaging in what appeared to be bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism (BDSM) activity.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Frontline staff shares account of how his family has been harassed by neighbour from hurling vuglarities to spraying of disinfecting solution at them
A nurse shares the ordeal that his family has been undergoing for the past few days on his Instagram account where his neighbour had mocked, hurled vulgarities, spraying disinfecting solution and cursing at his family every time they come back to their home.
— The Online Citizen
Commentary: How Singapore will remain a top trading hub in a post-pandemic world
As the world economy collapses, Singapore could face stark choices in forging ahead on trade and growth, while navigating US-China tensions, says Alex Capri.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
My body was a wreck, says Covid-19 patient
On his 15th day at Changi General Hospital battling the coronavirus, Mr Andrew Phay, 56, woke up to news that he had low oxygen levels in his blood.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
PM joins community leaders in virtual breaking of fast
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong having a date in an e-buka puasa, or a virtual breaking of fast, yesterday evening, as he took part in an online dialogue with Malay-Muslim and community leaders.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Rise in phishing scams during circuit breaker; SingPost and StarHub among top companies impersonated: SPF
The police on Saturday (May 16) warned of a rise in phishing scams during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period, with 151 cases reported from Apr 7 to May 7.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Coronavirus: Cinemas, clubs expect ‘business as unusual’ when they reopen
Sitting apart from the person you go to the cinema with, or getting your temperature taken at the club entrance, could be the new normal once cinemas and nightclubs get the green light to reopen.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Coronavirus: Digital check-ins and lots of disinfecting as Singapore hotels gear up for new normal
Even as hotels grapple with some of the worst occupancy rates in history, they know it cannot be business as usual when they are allowed to reopen.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Josephine Teo: Dorms designed for communal living where workers socialise and interact closely
Speaking at a virtual press conference yesterday (15 May), Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said that worker dorms were designed for communal living, where the workers socialise and interact closely every day.
— The Online Citizen
More than 300 clinics issued notices for performing non-essential treatments like Botox and tooth implants
Authorities have issued 340 control orders to medical and dental clinics here for performing non-essential treatment ranging from Botox to tooth implants during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Far from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Singaporean new mum fights cancer
Connie Sun discovered she had breast cancer in South Korea, but owing to travel restrictions, she could not leave with her husband and child to seek treatment in Singapore — so her struggle to cope just got tougher.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Head of NCID: Complete elimination of COVID-19 in Singapore not attainable without vaccine, brace for ‘recurring waves’
It is not practical for Singapore to stick with its circuit breaker phase for a long time to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the country has to deal with the virus being present here for some time until a vaccine is discovered, said National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) executive director Leo Yee Sin.
— The Online Citizen
‘We are unable to foresee the demand’: Suppliers scramble to meet spike in orders for food containers during COVID-19 circuit breaker
Soaring demand for food takeaway boxes during the enhanced “circuit breaker” has left suppliers scrambling to meet an overwhelming number of orders from eateries and caterers.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Preparations in full swing for Hari Raya Aidilfitri feasts for those in same household
Next Sunday (May 24), Madam Saodah Mohamad will be cooking her signature dish of sambal goreng pengantin, a traditional spicy stir-fried dish, just like she alway does every Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Some Robertson Quay restaurants barred from selling takeaway alcohol after photos of gatherings draw flak amid Covid-19 outbreak
Some restaurants at Robertson Quay have been barred from selling alchohol for takeaway, after people were found socialising and flouting safe distancing measures at the riverside dining enclave.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Isetan Singapore flags loss for first half of 2020
Isetan (Singapore) expects a loss for the first half of 2020, because of the cyclical nature of its retail business and the disruptions from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the company said in a regulatory filing on May 16.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Netizens question Singapore Govt’s reluctance to provide live broadcast of proceedings
An open letter by the spokesperson for the Singapore Parliament’s Leader of the House has garnered criticism from members of the public.
— The Online Citizen
Patients in Singapore with severe Covid-19 enrolled in drug trials
Remdesivir works by blocking an enzyme that is necessary for the Covid-19-causing virus to multiply.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Grace Fu’s Press Secretary’s reasoning that live-streaming of Parliamentary proceedings will not add to transparency, is a fallacy.
According to Dr. Michele Khoo, a spokesperson for the Leader of the House, Grace Fu, live Parliamentary broadcasts risk turning the House into a “form of theatre”.
— The Online Citizen
Covid-19 swab tests: Ministry addresses issue of long bus queues at Khatib
Pre-school staff who turned up hours ahead of their scheduled slots for Covid-19 swab tests caused long queues at Khatib MRT station on Friday, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Ex-jockey sued too late – apex court reverses $886,000 award
Retired top jockey Saimee Jumaat, who was awarded US$620,900 (S$886,000) in a High Court suit last year, saw it evaporate when Singapore’s top court reversed the ruling because he had sued too late.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Coronavirus: Some hotels help out by offering beds and meals for free
Several hotels have been putting their facilities to good use, offering beds and meals for free.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
‘I’m happy to be home but I’m also stuck’: For a COVID-19 positive patient deemed well enough for discharge, concerns remain
It was a long wait that spanned more than 50 days – 48 at D’Resort and three at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases – but when she was told of her discharge on Friday (May 15), COVID-19 patient Pamela (not her real name) was more confused than relieved.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore factories keep churning out the goods, with safety top of mind
The ovens are running hot at local bakery chain Bengawan Solo after a three-week break – its longest closure since its beginnings more than 40 years ago.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
From tour guide to safe distancing ambassador: Switching roles during the COVID-19 pandemic
Mr Tan Jun Wei, 32, became a full-time tourist guide in February this year. The timing couldn’t have been more unfortunate.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Amid poor home sales in April, the rich are still shopping – for posh properties
DESPITE a plunge in sales of new homes in April, the very rich had no problem forking out for their favourite asset amid the circuit breaker.
— The Business Times
NTU student debunks fabricated news about himself, condemns how SPH publishes unconsented news
As the saga of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and an NTU student with COVID-19 continued, the public was previously updated with a response provided by the editor of NewsHub at SPH, Han Yong May on 13 May.
— The Online Citizen
4 charged over ‘abusive and irresponsible behaviour’ during COVID-19 circuit breaker
Three men and a woman were charged in court on Friday (May 15) with various offences for what the police called abusive and irresponsible behaviour during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
COVID-19: Man charged with sending food to friend’s house, eating with her and drink-driving
A man was charged in court on Friday (May 15) with breaking COVID-19 laws by sending food to a friend’s house and eating and drinking with her.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Viral video of partitioning workers on a lorry was part of “demonstration video” and “proposal”, the authorities say and ask Company to review their plan
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Thursday (14 May) said that the viral video of partitioning the workers on a lorry was a part of “demonstration video” and “proposal” that sent by a construction firm to MOM for consultation.
— The Online Citizen
Man charged with saying he suspected he had coronavirus, coughing at another man in SingPost outlet
A man was on Friday (May 15) charged with public nuisance and using threatening behaviour after he said he suspected he had coronavirus during a visit to the Singapore Post (SingPost) outlet in Tampines and coughed at another man.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
‘It can be a lot for a person to bear’: Dealing with dementia during the circuit breaker
While queuing to make a purchase at the wet market, 53-year-old Emily Ong was brusquely told off by a fellow shopper.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
50 years ago, he taught himself how to fix TVs. Now, this 75-year-old repairman is still going strong
After both his parents died in the 1970s, self-employed TV repairman Ho Kian Joo faced the problem of there being nobody at home to answer the phone when he went out.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Punggol Field death: 20-year-old Singaporean man charged with murder of jogger
Surajsrikan Diwakar Mani Tripathi will be remanded at Changi Prison Complex Medical Centre and will be back in court on June 5.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
57-year-old man arrested after more than US$205,000 stolen from property in Jurong
A 57-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (May 14) after more than US$205,000 (S$292,500) was reported stolen from a property in Jurong.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Man arrested after molotov cocktail used to set fire to house yard
A 35-year-old man has been arrested after a molotov cocktail was used to set fire to the front yard of a residential property near East Coast Road.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Feature photo Nutrinest
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo focuses on World Bee Day, May 20.
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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About Singapore morning news.
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Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Singapore morning news for May 18 added by Justhine De Guzman Uy on
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Justhine De Guzman Uy
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.
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