Impact of Wuhan Coronavirus Outbreak on Singapore and Countermeasures Taken
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Singapore’s susceptibility to the Wuhan coronavirus and the specific measures taken to prevent its local spread. Members of Parliament Desmond Choo, Melvin Yong Yik Chye, Tin Pei Ling, Pritam Singh, Rahayu Mahzam, and Liang Eng Hwa inquired about suspected cases, travel restrictions, and the formation of a multi-agency taskforce. They also sought details on airport screenings, emergency response plans, and how citizens could support containment efforts. Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong Chun Fai, representing the Minister for Health, informed the House that these queries would be addressed collectively. He stated that the response regarding the latest situation and contingency preparations would be provided via a Ministerial Statement.
Transcript
1 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health in view of the escalating Wuhan pneumonia situation in the China (a) how susceptible is Singapore; (b) whether there are suspected cases in Singapore; and (c) what are the measures put in place or are being considered in the event the situation worsens.
2 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Health with regard to the Wuhan virus (a) what is the condition of the suspected patients in Singapore so far; (b) whether the Ministry will be issuing an advisory on travel restrictions for Singaporeans travelling to affected cities; and (c) whether a multi-agency taskforce will be formed to look into the containment and management of the virus spread in Singapore.
3 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) what is Singapore’s response to the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak; and (b) what actions are taken to contain the spread to, and among, Singaporeans.
4 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Health how prepared are the authorities to deal with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan and what can citizens do to help support the Ministry’s efforts.
5 Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the measures in place to prevent the entry and spread of the Wuhan virus in Singapore, aside from the temperature screening at the airport; and (b) whether there is an emergency response plan to handle the possible emergence of a Wuhan virus outbreak in Singapore.
6 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Health (a) whether he can provide the latest update on the Wuhan virus situation; (b) what are the stepped-up precautionary measures taken; and (c) how are our contingency preparations and readiness for the possible scenarios ahead.
Mr Speaker: I understand Question Nos 1 to 6 will be answered via the Ministerial Statement?
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, yes, Question Nos 1 to 6 will be answered in the Ministerial Statement.
Mr Speaker: All right. Let us proceed to Question No 7.