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Singapore reported 618 new cases of the new coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total number of infections to 12,693 with 12 deaths in the country.
Most of the new cases, 597, are among work permit holders residing in residences for foreign workers, including Indian citizens, working in the labor intensive construction sector.
Another 12 are work permit holders living outside the dormitories, the health ministry said. Seven of the cases are Singaporean (citizens) or permanent residents (foreigners) with two work passes or long-term visit passes (foreigners).
Northpoint City Mall has been declared a group of viruses, bringing the total count to seven. One group is considered a place that spreads deadly disease.
On Saturday, thousands of people across the island nation sang and cheered for essential service providers and migrant workers, The Straits Times reported.
Singing residents lit torches on their windows and balconies, in much of the public housing built primarily by foreign workers, as has been widely recognized here.
The applause and applause aired on SPH Radio, Mediacorp television channels and social media platforms in the evening. The performance was conducted by local composer Dick Lee, singers Rahimah Rahim, Shabir and Taufik Batisah, a chorus of 900 members of the non-profit art group Voices of Singapore, as well as other artists.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Josphine Teo explained Singapore’s difficult decision to suspend all construction work.
Singapore is currently in a “circuit breaker” period to stop the spread of Covid-19. The period was scheduled to end on May 4, but will now last until June 1.
All nonessential workplaces have been ordered to remain closed, and residents are prohibited from leaving the house except to buy food and groceries or exercise only in the neighborhood, Channel News Asia reported.
In a Facebook post, Teo said: “If we act fast, we know there is little time for employers to adjust. If we act too slow, there is a risk of wider transmission.
“This is difficult compensation,” the minister said in the email.
His explanation comes in the wake of social media posts and text messages that have circulated in the past two days, highlighting the frustrations of some employers.
The stricter measures, which began on April 22, mean that migrant workers will not be able to leave all dormitories for any reason, including work.
The measures will apply to all companies, including those that previously obtained licenses to operate.
Household notices have been sent to all 1,80,000 construction work permits and S Pass holders and their dependents.
“But without that, they could still be away from home. Should we have avoided this move? Should there have been more time? We will never really know, but time is not on our side.
“Given how fast and wide the virus spreads, can we afford to wait? If there’s anything we’ve learned about the virus, taking action sooner is probably better than later, “Teo said.
A total of 25 bedrooms, which house foreign workers, have been classified as isolation areas.
So far, the coronavirus has infected more than 2.8 million people and has killed almost 2,00,000 worldwide. The United States is the most affected with more than 51,000 deaths and more than 905,000 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In Singapore, the total number of cases is 12,693 with 12 deaths due to the deadly infection, The Straits Times reported.
