SINGAPORE: Fears of COVID-19 has visibly dampened spirits and visitor numbers at the biennial Singapore Airshow, with crowds at today’s opening trade day on Tuesday (Feb 11) thinner than previous iterations of the usually bustling and popular airshow.

The reduced crowds were also noticeable during the day’s flying display in the afternoon. Usually a big drawcard, the audience catching today’s flying programme was smaller than usual.

Despite the rain forcing visitors to vantage points under shelter to watch the display, there was still room to move among the audience.    

Also seen were a number of empty exhibitor booths at the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC), as some companies made the last-minute decision to pull out of the show, leaving their booths bare save for some furniture and a handful of staff whose task was to explain the situation to those who stopped by.

Precautionary measures in view of the coronavirus outbreak were also rolled out, a first for the airshow, the most prominent being the additional temperature screening tent just before registration and security  that all visitors must pass through before entering.

Also present were the ubiquitous face masks and hand sanitisers, although the number of the former was fewer than what I had anticipated, suggesting that the authorities’ exhortations for people not to wear masks unless they were unwell might have guided planning considerations.

A number of participants at the show I spoke to similarly felt that a lot of the “panic” was an overreaction, with one foreign visitor remarking that if there was indeed a global pandemic, Singapore would actually be the safest place, where the healthcare system is one of the most advanced in the world and public safety measures are rolled out like clockwork.

A SPATE OF CANCELLATIONS

The infectious disease scare really started to affect the airshow early in February, with the decision on Feb 4 to cancel the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit, which traditionally takes place on the eve of the show and attracts civil aviation and commercial leaders.

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This was followed by Singapore’s raising its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Alert Level from Yellow to Orange three days later.

The statement triggered the first companies to announce a withdrawal from the airshow, with US Fortune 500 industrial conglomerate Textron and Canadian aerospace and train manufacturer Bombardier among the first to make that decision.

Others, like aerospace giant Lockheed-Martin, initially announced a reduction in the number of staff attending the show, before eventually deciding to pull out altogether.

At last count, the number of companies to decide against participating has gone up to almost 80, with many local representatives citing the raising of the DORSCON level to orange as chief main driving factor.

The decision by these companies to pull out of the show would have been a painful one, given that the Singapore Airshow represented a good opportunity for them to connect with existing and potential customers and partners in one of the fastest growing part of the world.

They would have also already paid for the travel costs of staff, along with the transportation and set-up of installations at their airshow booths including static displays.

Organiser Experia Events will take the biggest hit. The usual matrices for determining the success of the show, ranging from the value of contracts signed and the number of government, trade, and public visitors will undoubtedly take a hit, while the move to reduce tickets available on the public days on Saturday and Sunday will see a drop in revenue from those sales compared to the 80,000 sold last year.

However, despite what has been described by Experia’s managing director Leck Chet Lam as “trying circumstances”, this is almost certain to be a one-off hit for the show owing to a black-swan event. Few expect the next iteration of the Singapore Airshow to take place amid a similarly bleak backdrop.

The Singapore Airshow is the only aerospace and defence event in the Asia-Pacific that provides marketplace and networking opportunities for commercial aviation and defence suppliers to showcase new technology and solutions, and is seen as a critical node in the aviation sales calendar along with the Paris Air Show in Europe and the Dubai Air Show in the Gulf.

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The 2018 edition was estimated to have brought in a whopping S$343 million to Singapore’s economy, a 4 per cent increase compared to 2016, and saw the attendance of 54,000 trade visitors including 65 of the top 100 global aerospace companies. 

More participating companies say they formed a strategic partnership or expect to finalise a sale at the Singapore Airshow in 2018 compared to 2016.

Instead, more worrying for the aviation industry as a whole is the effect of the outbreak on travel and other trade figures worldwide, with the tourism sector in Singapore expecting to see the number of visitors fall by 25 to 30 per cent this year, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Still, there were some notable companies who decided to stick around. Aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus maintained a strong presence at the CEC, with Boeing emphatic that it remained “fully committed” to the Singapore Airshow.

The US Department of Defense also maintained a strong, albeit reduced presence. In addition to its F-22 and F-35 flying displays, a powerful delegation of officials and senior military officers attended the airshow, including the head of the US Air Force’s Pacific Air Forces General Charles Q Brown Jr and Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R Clarke Cooper.

Other notable defence leaders, including Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Malaysian Armed Forces Chief General Affendi Buang and Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar were also in Singapore.

The presence of such heavyweights is surely a vote of confidence placed on the measures Singapore authorities have taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has sickened more than 25,000 people and killed over 1,000 since late last year.

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Indeed, General Brown told reporters at a media roundtable on the eve of the show he was satisfied with the measures Singapore has taken based on his conversations with the US Embassy in Singapore along with the Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong prior to his arrival. He also made a point to shake the hands of all the reporters present before starting his roundtable.  

The coronavirus outbreak might have created a hiccup for the 2020 edition but there’s no reason to think this speed bump will slow the long-term growth of the Singapore Airshow.

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Mike Yeo is the Asia reporter for US-based defence publication Defense News.

SINGAPORE: To contain the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (Feb 12) said it makes more than 1,000 calls and visits every day to ensure work pass holders adhere to a mandatory 14-day leave of absence (LOA). 

This comes after it was announced on Feb 6 that all workers returning from mainland China would have to take a 14-day leave of absence. 

On Sunday, MOM said it had revoked the work passes of four people and suspended the work pass privileges of six employers found violating the LOA requirements. 

Mr Felix Ong, who is employment inspectorate director at MOM’s foreign manpower division, told reporters on Wednesday that the ministry takes a three-pronged approach when enforcing the LOA. 

READ: Employers must notify MOM of workers returning from China ahead of leave of absence

As part of enforcement efforts, all workers serving the LOA are sent text messages several times a day, at random hours, which require them to update MOM of their location within an hour, said Mr Ong. 

Secondly, officers based at MOM’s service centre on Bendemeer Road will make random calls to workers. 

These include both voice and video calls, which may require workers to show these officers their surroundings.  

MOM will make checks with employers if calls are not answered. 

Lastly, enforcement officers from the ministry will also conduct random checks on workers’ residences to ensure they adhere to the LOA. 

“We also ask about their well-being, which includes their salary, whether or not their employers deduct their salaries,” said MOM enforcement operations senior manager Keith Aw. 

Checks also involve checking on whether their accommodation arrangements for the duration of their LOA are acceptable, he added.

READ: Manpower ministry revokes 4 work passes for Leave of Absence breaches, suspends employer privileges

Though the leave of absence is required for everyone returning to Singapore from China, MOM’s efforts are focused on work pass holders, said Mr Ong, adding that the onus is on employers to ensure locals adhere to the LOA.

Mr Ong notes the LOA differs from a quarantine in that affected individuals are allowed to leave their residences for reasons such as buying food or other necessities. 

However, returning to the workplace, or going out for non-essential trips such as to the cinema would be considered violations of the LOA. 

PRIORITY FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN ALLOWING WORK PASS HOLDERS TO ENTER

MOM also requires that existing work pass holders who are entering or returning to Singapore must have the ministry’s approval before they can travel to Singapore.

In a statement, the Manpower Ministry said it has approved about 200 such applications a day since these requirements came into place on Feb 8. 

“We give priority to applications in essential services such as healthcare, transport and waste management, so that operations in these sectors are not compromised,” said an MOM spokesperson. 

“Other factors taken into consideration include whether the employers have arranged for suitable premises to house the returning workers for the duration of their LOA, and the need to stagger the entry of the workers to manage their return in an orderly manner.”

READ: All workers with travel history to China must seek approval before entering Singapore: MOM

The ministry also revealed details regarding its LOA support programme, which allows eligible employers to apply for S$100 per day per affected worker – including Singapore citizens, permanent residents (PRs) and work pass holders who have travelled to mainland China on or before Jan 31.

These employers will also qualify for a levy waiver for affected foreign workers during the LOA period.

Individuals travelling to China after Jan 31, 2020 are not eligible for the scheme. 

Self-employed Singapore citizens and PRs who are required to serve an LOA can also apply for the S$100 daily support. 

However, this support is not applicable for employers and self-employed individuals if they have telecommuting arrangements which allows for work to be done remotely.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 and its developments

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SINGAPORE: Ride-hailing operator Grab announced on Wednesday (Feb 12) that it would begin rolling out a new service that offers dedicated 24-hour service for healthcare professionals travelling from work.

The service, called GrabCare, will begin its pilot on Friday for healthcare professionals working at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). 

Those who have signed up for GrabCare will be able to book a ride home by selecting the GrabCare icon within the Grab app. 

READ: Discrimination of healthcare workers due to coronavirus ‘disgraceful’: Amrin Amin

Grab has plans to to expand the service to eventually allow for rides from homes to hospitals and to widen the pool of participating hospitals, the company said in a press release. 

“Healthcare professionals, whose quiet commitment to their duty often goes unrecognised, have been on the frontlines from day one,” Grab said.

The company said that it “aims to ease the burden of these healthcare professionals who may face increased difficulties in getting rides due to heightened public awareness of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation”.

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About 2,000 Grab drivers have signed up to be part of the service, the ride operator said, adding that the drivers have voluntarily committed to providing on-demand transport services for healthcare professionals to increase their likelihood of getting a ride before and after their shifts.

“The tireless work and unwavering dedication of our healthcare workers to treat and take care of patients have inspired us and many of our driver-partners to do more. GrabCare is our small contribution to rally the community together to support our fellow Singaporeans in times of need, and ensure  healthcare workers get a stress-free and hassle-free ride daily,” said country head of Grab Singapore Yee Wee Tang.

“We are also very grateful for our driver-partners for stepping up in such times and extending their service to these professionals.”

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 and its developments

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JOHOR BAHRU: Consumers need not resort to panic buying of basic necessities and pharmaceutical products amid concerns about COVID-19, as the shops have enough stock, said Johor’s Consumerism, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman S Ramakrishnan on Wednesday (Feb 12).

In an interview with CNA, Dr Ramakrishnan said there was no need for consumers to buy in bulk or create their own stockpiles at home.

“I would like to advise the consumers that there is no need to panic buy. There is enough stock for rice, tissue papers, sugar, oil so they can always come back and buy once they run out,” he said.

He added that the state government is making arrangements to ensure that the stock for pharmaceutical items like face masks and hand sanitisers will be replenished.

His comments came on the back of reports suggesting that there has been a surge in demand, with Singaporeans buying essential food supplies as well as pharmaceutical products in Johor Bahru.

Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has conducted surveillance and inspections in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Pasir Gudang and Kulai. Checks showed that the supplies of controlled goods were sufficient at the levels of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, the ministry said last weekend.

READ: Shortage of face masks in JB amid coronavirus scare, some retailers selling above price ceiling

Dr Ramakrishnan, who is also the Bekok state assemblyman, added: “We quite understand the surge in purchases for these items but we’d like to emphasise that there’s no need to worry.”

“Because of the sudden increase in purchases, we have urged suppliers to ramp up their supply so that the masks and groceries are available in the shops.” 

“The government on our part are doing our best to ensure the supply is always there. The wholesalers and manufacturers are around and ready to help,” he added.

Johor is widely considered the frontline for Malaysia’s battle against the coronavirus. Out of Malaysia’s 18 confirmed cases for COVID-19, at least seven of the patients passed through the southern state. 

READ: Malaysian Health Minister announces joint working committee with Singapore to tackle novel coronavirus

“SINGAPOREANS ALWAYS WELCOMED TO SHOP IN JB”

Dr Ramakrishnan added: “Maybe individual shops where Singaporeans visit quite often, those areas may be running out fast … Not only Singaporeans but even other tourists, like from China, also buy a lot, like masks, they buy more than normal.”  

He said tourists need not buy groceries and face masks in unnecessarily large quantities and urged them to consider the needs of the Johoreans.

“Singaporeans are always welcome to Johor Bahru to do their shopping. And (to minimise the impact of the shortage), we are urging suppliers to replenish fast so that Johoreans are not impacted by this shortage,” said Dr Ramakirshnan.

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SINGAPORE: Singapore has three new cases of COVID-19, director of medical services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) Kenneth Mak said at a media conference on Wednesday (Feb 12).

Of them, two are from the Grace Assembly of God church, and one of them works at DBS bank at the Marina Bay Financial Centre. All three of them have no recent travel history to mainland China. 

This brings the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Singapore to 50.

The two patients linked to the church have visited both Grace Assembly of God churches at Tanglin and Bukit Batok, Associate Professor Mak added.

READ: Discrimination of healthcare workers due to coronavirus ‘disgraceful’: Amrin Amin

READ: 219 suspected COVID-19 cases in total conveyed by ambulance as of Wednesday morning

As of Wednesday, six more people were discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered to 15. The newly discharged patients are cases 4, 12, 25, 29, 34 and 40.

Of the 35 confirmed cases still in hospital, eight are in the Intensive Care Unit and in critical condition.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong cautioned that while there are patients who are stable and recovering from the viral infection, there could be patients who succumb to it.

“We have to be prepared for the worst,” he said.

Mr Gan also appealed to Singaporeans not to shun healthcare workers, who are on the frontline taking care of patients. He urged them to show these workers “well-deserved” support.

“A kind word or warm greeting can go a long way,” he said. 

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On Wednesday, DBS said an employee had been infected with the coronavirus, prompting the bank to take precautionary measures and have employees at the affected Marina Bay Financial Centre office work from home.

The bank is conducting contact tracing with all employees and any others the infected person may have come into contact with.

READ: Coronavirus cases in Singapore – Trends, clusters and key numbers to watch

READ: New coronavirus cases lowest since Jan but experts disagree over peak

Last week, authorities raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level to Orange, prompting additional precautionary measures.

The novel coronavirus, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December, has so far killed 1,113 people and sickened more than 40,000 people in China as of Tuesday.

It has since spread beyond China to 24 other countries, with the World Health Organization declaring a public health emergency last month.

READ: Singapore tourism to take ‘significant hit’ in 2020 due to coronavirus, up to 30% fewer visitors expected

The coronavirus outbreak is expected to take a toll on the tourism sector, with the Singapore Tourism Board on Tuesday saying visitor arrivals are estimated to fall by 25 per cent to 30 per cent this year.

The virus, officially named COVID-19 on Tuesday, has killed more than 1,100 people and infected nearly 45,000 since it emerged in China at the end of last year.

South Korea and Israel have told their citizens to defer travel to Singapore, while Indonesia and Taiwan have recommended precautions be taken when visiting the country.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 and its developments

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SINGAPORE: Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances have conveyed a total of 219 suspected COVID-19 cases as of 8am on Wednesday (Feb 12), a SCDF spokesperson said.

The majority of these calls, within the timeframe of about a month, were made by members of the public, while some came from general practitioners and polyclinics.

READ: Novel coronavirus to be called COVID-19, says WHO

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Also announced on Wednesday: All SCDF ambulance crew will now don full personal protective equipment (PPE) while attending to all cases.

While ambulance crew were already donning PPE when dealing with suspected COVD-19 cases prior to Singapore’s risk assessment being raised DORSCON Orange, these new guidelines now apply to all medical cases, said SCDF.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the SCDF headquarters where he met personnel who have responded to the novel coronavirus cases, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin urged the public not to be alarmed if they see SCDF ambulance crew in PPE.

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“(The Government) has taken certain measures. One of the measures is we have raised the DORSCON level … And as a result, all emergency medical crew will be wearing personal protective equipment,” he said.

“This is required of them. The public should not be alarmed, they will be wearing PPE when responding to all calls, not just responding to a suspect novel coronavirus (case).”

Currently, the SCDF operations centre triages cases, with operators checking whether callers display possible symptoms as well as have a travel history to China.

If they suspect a COVID-19 case, this particular information will be conveyed to the ambulance crew. Members of the ambulance crew will then make a phone call to the suspected case to further confirm this information.

After conveying the suspect case to the hospital, a device will be used to decontaminate the ambulance – with the process lasting about 20 minutes while the crew removes and disposes their PPE.

READ: Discrimination of healthcare workers due to coronavirus ‘disgraceful’: Amrin Amin

“We have been preparing for this situation, we have got people on standby, we are managing quite OK,” added Mr Amrin, when asked about how the SCDF has coped so far.

Singapore reported two more confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had said in a daily update.

One had worked at the same location as another Bangladeshi coronavirus patient, the other is a Singapore permanent resident who lives in Johor Bahru and works at Resorts World Sentosa Casino.

This brings the number of cases in Singapore to 47, with seven in critical condition.

Two more patients – cases 17 and 36 – were discharged from hospital on Tuesday, meaning nine have now fully recovered from the virus.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 and its developments

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