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SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 29 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (December 22), the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said in its preliminary daily update.
It is the highest daily number of cases reported since September 21, when 31 cases were reported.
The 29 new cases reported on Tuesday were either imported and placed on stay-at-home notice or isolated upon arrival in Singapore, the Health Ministry said.
Four Singaporeans or permanent residents were among the new cases. A total of 23 are job pass holders currently employed in Singapore, including 21 foreign domestic workers.
No new cases were found in the community or in the dormitories of foreign workers.
Details of the new cases will be released Tuesday night, the ministry added.
SINGAPORE BARS TO UK TRAVELERS FOR A NEW STRAIN
Long-term pass holders and visitors with a recent UK travel history will not be able to enter Singapore from 11:59 pm on Wednesday, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Travelers, including short-term visitors who have traveled to the UK in the past 14 days, will not be able to enter or transit through Singapore, the ministry said.
The announcement came after the discovery of a highly infectious new strain of the novel coronavirus in the UK, which British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said was “out of control”.
Singapore’s move follows similar moves from other places that have already banned flights from Britain, including Hong Kong, India, Germany and France.
The ban will also apply to travelers who have obtained prior authorization to enter Singapore.
READ: Singapore to Ban UK Travelers for New Coronavirus Strain; more stringent measures for those with a history of travel to New South Wales
Border measures for travelers with a travel history to New South Wales in Australia in the past 14 days will also tighten as of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday due to a resurgence in the number of cases, the Health Ministry said. .
All travelers to Australia will need to declare their travel history at airline check-in prior to their flight to Singapore.
Short-term travelers with an Air Travel Pass who have traveled to NSW in the last 14 days prior to departure for Singapore will not be allowed to enter the country.
Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders will be subject to a seven-day stay-at-home notice at their place of residence and will need to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test before the end of the period of isolation.
THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF COVID-19 VACCINES ARRIVES IN SINGAPORE
Singapore received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Monday evening, becoming the first country in Asia to receive the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
The cargo, carried on a Singapore Airlines freighter, arrived at Changi Airport shortly after 7:30 p.m. It was received by Transportation Minister Ong Ye Kung and taken to SATS cold chain facilities for storage and ground transportation.
READ: First shipment of COVID-19 vaccines arrives in Singapore
Mr. Ong spoke to reporters about Singapore’s intention to become a regional hub for the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We think we have the capacity to do it, to play a role to help supply and distribute in the region. I think there are two types of thinking now around vaccine delivery. Some countries, of course, would prefer direct delivery because they’ll think it’s fast, point-to-point delivery, “he said.
“(But) we can also play a role as a hub for distribution and transportation to the region. I don’t think they are mutually exclusive … I think that when things stabilize there will be demand for both. And we hope that Singapore can play a positive role and constructive for the region, “he added.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced on December 14 that Singapore approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
READ: Singapore-approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first shipment expected by end of December
READ: Data on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Rigorously and Thoroughly Reviewed,’ HSA Says
On Monday night, he said he was “delighted” to see the successful arrival of the first shipment, describing it as a “welcome gift we were all waiting for.”
He added that the multi-ministry task force handling the COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore will announce the details of the deployment in due course.
“It has been a long and arduous year. I hope this news brings joy to Singaporeans this holiday season and a reason to be optimistic for 2021,” he said.
Singapore has reported a total of 58,461 cases as of Tuesday.
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