JOHOR BARU – Malaysians returning back from Singapore will no longer be allowed to be quarantined at home following an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Republic.
Johor health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said that the state’s health department has come up with a new standard operating procedure for those returning via the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex at the Causeway, and the Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ complex at the Second Link in Tuas.
“The Covid-19 tests conducted in Singapore will no longer be applicable, and those testing negative will not be allowed to be quarantined at home anymore.”
“Citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders entering the country would need to go though temperature checks upon entry,” he said in a statement on Friday (April 24).”
According to Mr Vidyananthan, if they did not have a fever, and are not persons under investigation or persons under surveillance, they would still have to go through a medical check-up.
SINGAPORE: As Singapore fights to stem the spread of COVID-19, Switzerland’s Matterhorn has provided a ray of hope in solidarity with the country.
Every night, the mountain in the Swiss Alps has been illuminated with projections of images, including the flags of countries around the world – and in the early hours of Friday (Apr 24), it was Singapore’s turn.
A photo showing the Southeast Asian nation’s flag projected onto the peak of the 4,478m high mountain was posted on Switzerland Tourism’s Facebook page, with an accompanying post offering words of encouragement.
“In the city-state Singapore, different ethnic groups live together peacefully,” said the post. “The country is well organised and clean: Similar characteristics are attributed to Switzerland.
“We show solidarity with the people of Singapore and send a sign of hope.”
The Singapore flag displayed on the Matterhorn. (Photo: Facebook: Switzerland)
The illuminations are the work of artist Gerry Hofstetter, who kicked off the initiative last month by projecting the Swiss flag onto the mountain.
Since then, other countries including the United States, Japan and Italy have had their flags beamed onto the Matterhorn.
Other designs including the words “hope”, “solidarity” and “stay home” have also been shone on the peak.
The town of Zermatt, home to the Matterhorn, said the mountain represented strength and stability.
“The Matterhorn has always been a symbol of Switzerland and a place of strength and stability,” said Zermatt Tourism in its introduction to the project. “Zermatt is convinced: As strong as the Matterhorn, so strong must the society stand together, be anchored and let the storm pass.”
“With the illumination, Zermatt wants to give people a sign of hope and solidarity in this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday expressed his appreciation for the gesture.
“Thank you to the Swiss town of Zermatt for the beautiful show of solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic! It’s quite a sight for the Singapore flag to light up the majestic Matterhorn,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“We have no mountains or snow on our sunny island. But we are both small nations depending on our people and wits for a living.
“We stand with Switzerland and all countries in the battle against this disease. Together, we can overcome this.”
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat called the act a “ray of light” and thanked Switzerland for its solidarity.
“A ray of light in the cold darkness, a torch for humanity in times of adversity,” said Mr Heng. “Thank you, Switzerland – for your sign of solidarity and for sending a beacon of hope, to Singapore and to countries around the world who are fighting COVID-19.”
Initially praised for its handling of the coronavirus crisis and getting infection numbers under control, Singapore is currently being rocked by an alarming surge in cases — mostly within its community of migrant workers living in dormitories.
The iconic Matterhorn mountain, which looms above Zermatt, Switzerland, became the majestic backdrop for a projection of the Singapore flag earlier this morning (April 24) at 7:30am.
But why, you ask? It’s a sign of hope and solidarity during the global pandemic — Switzerland’s standing together with Singapore, two countries that share more than a little similarity between them.
Being cooped up at home during the circuit breaker can be unsettling but we all have a part to play to keep Singapore safe! Not sure how to pass time during this period? We’ve got your back!
[UPDATED, April 24]
Something you can watch
Online concerts
While many people are still bummed about the circuit breaker extension, at least one good thing has come from it – free concerts online! And the concert streaming this weekend is not just any concert but one from Singapore’s pride, JJ Lin.
Relive JJ Lin’s Sanctuary 2.0 World Tour this Saturday April 25th 01:20PM (GMT+8) / 01:20AM (EST), at PlayOn Fest! Watch…
Due to the announcement of tighter circuit breaker measures, a list of shops had to shutter, namely bubble tea shops, cakes and confectioneries, among other standalone F&B outlets.
As Singaporeans were queuing up for one last BBT, brands were working hard at fostering partnerships with other F&B outlets that are exempted from the suspension, so that desserts and BBT fanatics are still able to sate their cravings.
No good deed goes unpunished, as what Tan Min-Liang learned recently.
The Singaporean founder and chief executive officer of gaming hardware company Razer had to deal with naysayers who found fault with his initiative to donate a million surgical masks across the world.
On his Facebook page, Tan posted a screenshot of a message he received on Wednesday (April 22), in which someone tried to shame him, accusing him of forgetting his Singaporean roots and giving out masks to other countries instead of his homeland.
To add some context, Razer has temporarily converted a portion of its production facilities to produce surgical masks in lieu of gaming peripherals during the global Covid-19 pandemic. The plan is to donate up to one million masks to the authorities in different countries, starting with Singapore where the Razer Southeast Asia headquarters is located.
