From using a neck warmer as a face mask to simply acting like the law does not apply to them, anti-maskers have been a real thorn in the side of many frontline workers since masks were made mandatory in April.
In yet another incident, a 51-year-old man was arrested at Yishun MRT on Sunday (Aug 23) after refusing to wear a mask and verbally abusing multiple SMRT staff, police confirmed.
The man, who boarded the Circle Line train that day at Holland Village station at about 3.30pm, had been drinking earlier and was even carrying a few bottles of alcohol, an eyewitness told Stomp.
Instead of using carparks like every other motorist, a couple of mischievous motorcyclists simply used some masking tape to mark out their own private parking lots at an HDB void deck in Woodlands.
Suffice to say, it’s not legal. Not to mention inconvenient for anyone who needs to access the HDB block’s switch room, as one of the motorbikes is seen blocking the door.
Submitted by an anonymous netizen and posted on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page today (August 25), the concerned resident claimed that the bike owners had spray-painted the rims of their vehicle’s wheels and left paint marks on the floor. Pictures of the activities and the aftermath were uploaded as evidence as well.
“Every night will wake residents up with their loud exhausts,” the resident added.
Nature is beautiful… until your underwear gets stolen.
Residents of a condominium in Singapore came face to face with a horndog hornbill that snatched up a bra from a balcony and flew off with it, only to drop the lingerie in the middle of a road. The nerve of it all, indeed.
Posted on the appropriately named subreddit r/AnimalsBeingJerks, the video shared by Redditor u/indi_huntley showcased a curious Oriental Pied Hornbill snatching up the bra with its beak and flying off, startling the house’s occupants.
The person behind the camera chased after the bird by rushing to the balcony only to see the lone bra left on the road next to the building.
It’s not every day that one comes across a monkey with a bubble tea cup over its head, but for the folks involved in a local wildlife conservation project, primates interacting with discarded food packaging is an unfortunately common sight.
In a Facebook post on Sunday (Aug 25), Glendon Kee, an intern with the Raffles’ Banded Langurs Working Group (RBLWG), documented his encounter with a group of macaques.
Internship Diary #4
Hey! It’s your friendly neighbourhood intern Glendon Kee, with a short instalment in the internship…
SINGAPORE: Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges at three gantries along the Central Expressway (CTE) will go up by S$1 next week to ease congestion during peak periods, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Tuesday (Aug 25).
ERP charges were first suspended on Apr 6 on the expectation that traffic would be significantly reduced during the “circuit breaker” period, before being re-introduced at some gantries along the CTE in July.
In a news release on Tuesday, LTA said that charges would now also be re-introduced for the gantry along a southbound CTE auxiliary lane to the Pan-Island Expressway (Changi) and Serangoon Road.
Two other gantries along the northbound CTE will see their charges increased by S$1.
These new rates will kick in on Aug 31:
(Table: LTA)
The rate for the gantry along the southbound CTE before Braddell Road will remain unchanged at S$1 between 8am and 9am.
This is LTA’s third review of ERP rates following the circuit breaker, when workplaces and schools were ordered to shut to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore.
“Based on LTA’s monitoring of traffic conditions from early to mid August 2020, traffic speeds have remained optimal on all arterial roads and most expressways, except for some time periods on the Central Expressway,” said the authority.
“As more people travel to and from their workplaces, traffic volume has continued to build up during weekday peak hours,” it said.
“This has led to localised congestion at specific locations along the CTE during the morning and evening peak periods.”
LTA said it would continue to monitor traffic speeds and congestion levels “closely”.
The next ERP review – conducted once every five weeks – will be announced in the last week of September. Any changes to ERP charges will then take effect from Oct 5.
SINGAPORE: Even as Singapore fights COVID-19, it must continue to work on long-term goals of strengthening its healthcare system, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Tuesday (Aug 25).
“We must continue to ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible and affordable, and that our healthcare system can better and more sustainably serve the evolving health needs of Singaporeans,” said Mr Gan as he outlined how his ministry will support key themes laid out by President Halimah Yacob during Monday’s opening of Parliament.
“To achieve this, we will press on with three major shifts in our healthcare system, to move Beyond Healthcare to Health, Beyond Hospital to Community and Beyond Quality to Value.”
To keep residents healthy, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue with efforts to improve diets and lifestyles, and make preventive healthcare more affordable and accessible by enhancing subsidies for vaccinations in various settings.
MOH will “proactively” manage seniors’ health through a review of the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, as well as work with the public, corporate and community partners to “transform our seniors’ lived experience”, said Mr Gan.
Mental wellness will also be on the agenda, with programmes like the Integrated Youth Service for young people who are at risk of mental health conditions.
Screening for diabetics and those with pre-diabetes will continue, where the ministry will “optimise” its care for diabetics and prevent long-term complications, said Mr Gan.
He added that MOH will identify “best practices” to better manage other chronic diseases.
In his addendum to the President’s address, Mr Gan also said that his ministry will continue to expand the healthcare capacity by building a hospital in the east and new polyclinics across Singapore by 2030, even though COVID-19 has delayed the completion of some facilities.
MOH will also expand the scope of service at eldercare centres to include active ageing programmes, befriending services, as well as information and referral for care services.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong speaking at a press conference on COVID-19 on Mar 20, 2020 (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
When the Healthcare Services Act is implemented, it will better regulate the healthcare sector, and the health ministry will “work with industry on the safe introduction of new care delivery models”, Mr Gan said.
Three new initiatives from this year will keep healthcare “affordable and sustainable” for an ageing population and prepare Singaporeans for their long-term care needs, said Mr Gan.
MOH is also working with the MediShield Life Council to review MediShield Life benefits and premiums, to “ensure that the scheme continues to provide adequate protection against large medical bills and remains sustainable”, said Mr Gan.
“Our subsidy frameworks will also be reviewed to ensure that they remain adequate and directed at those who need it most,” he added.
FIGHTING COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge for Singapore’s healthcare system, noted Mr Gan, adding that MOH will continue its four-pronged strategy to fight the coronavirus – safe management practices, early detection, contain close contacts of new cases and provide effective care for patients.
Medical staff preparing pre-screening procedures at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases building at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore on Jan 31, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
“COVID-19 will be with us for a long time, and until a vaccine becomes available, there is always a risk of further waves of the disease,” said Mr Gan, adding that the ministry will “ensure sufficient healthcare resources” for COVID-19 patients.
“We will also continue to maintain adequate quarantine and community isolation capacity, to remain prepared for any sudden surge in cases. We will continue to leverage data and technology to improve our capability to respond quickly to evolving situations and contain outbreaks.”
In the field of medical research, Singapore remains “actively involved” in vaccine and therapeutics development, including in clinical trials with global partners, said Mr Gan, adding that MOH will continue to work with international partners in the fight against COVID-19.
“In the meantime, for as long as COVID-19 is still with us, we must remain vigilant as a nation and continue to encourage the public to practice social responsibility and good personal hygiene habits,” said the Health Minister, while paying tribute to healthcare workers and volunteers who have “led the charge” against COVID-19.
“Their adaptability, resilience, and determination have led to innovations in caring for patients both within the existing healthcare institutions and in in new settings such as the various isolation and recovery facilities,” he said.
JOBS IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR
COVID-19 has strengthened MOH’s aim to transform healthcare, said Mr Gan, adding that the ministry will “push forward” with digital transformation and research efforts.
“We are accelerating several digitalisation projects to support telehealth initiatives, help our healthcare workforce work remotely, and improve pandemic preparedness.
“In research, we will build and support a greater pool of talent, improve data infrastructure and strengthen research and development in a wide range of translatable areas,” he said.
There will be more job opportunities and traineeship positions for Singaporeans over the next few years in the public healthcare and community care sector. From now until end-2021, the healthcare sector will offer about 7,500 jobs and about 1,600 traineeships, attachments and skills training opportunities.
These will be suitable for fresh graduates and mid-career job seekers regardless of their background, said Mr Gan.
“Our healthcare transformation journey is a multi-year endeavour. We must keep innovating and improving to make Singaporeans healthier and our healthcare system better for all, in partnership with public, community-based and private healthcare providers,” said Mr Gan.
“We will continue to reach out to all Singaporeans, to help us continue our journey to build a strong and sustainable health system for the future together, so that all Singaporeans can live well, longer, and with peace of mind.”
SINGAPORE – Budget carrier Scoot apologised to its customers on Tuesday (Aug 25) for sending out a mass e-mail in which it asked passengers to take a Covid-19 test to confirm that they are virus-free before they can travel to China.
Singapore Airline’s low-cost arm clarified that the e-mail was meant only for passengers who had booked a flight onboard TR100, which will depart from Singapore to Guangzhou at 5.15am on Sunday.
Instead, the e-mail was sent to customers who were booked on other flights.
“Scoot is currently investigating the matter and will provide an update on the findings when possible. For now, it has been established that there was no data breach or leak of personal information,” a Scoot spokesman said on Tuesday afternoon.
The travel requirements mentioned in Scoot’s e-mail, which was sent out earlier that same day, said that passengers departing from Singapore to China must take a nucleic acid test to confirm that they are negative for Covid-19 within five days before their flight.
As this requirement kicks in from Friday, it would apply to flight TR100.
SINGAPORE: More students will stand to benefit from SkillsFuture work-study programmes, with authorities planning to grow this into a “mainstream pathway” by 2025, said Minister for Education Lawrence Wong, as he outlined how his ministry would support key priorities laid out on Monday (Aug 24) by President Halimah Yacob.
Delivering her address at the opening of Singapore’s 14th Parliament, Mdm Halimah spoke of the need to provide greater social support and strengthen safety nets for the long term amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an addendum to the President’s address released on Tuesday, Mr Wong touched on the importance of education as a social leveller as well as the need to support continuous learning.
As such, institutes of higher learning will continue to ramp up their capacity for continuing education and training, said the minister. In particular, they will increase their range of “industry-relevant modular courses” to support “lifelong learning”, he said.
The ministry will also grow the SkillsFuture work-study programmes into a “mainstream pathway” by 2025, said Mr Wong, so that “more students can benefit from learning opportunities both in the workplace and the classroom”.
“As part of SkillsFuture, our immediate priority is to support the efforts of the National Jobs Council in creating jobs, traineeships, and training opportunities,” said the minister, adding that mid-career workers in their 40s and 50s would receive additional help to refresh their skillsets.
Mr Wong also urged educators to “embrace this mindset of continuous learning”, adding that the SkillsFuture for Educators scheme would support them in their professional development.
The roadmap, announced during the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Budget debates earlier this year, will help all teachers to grow in six areas – assessment literacy, differentiated instruction, inquiry-based learning, e-pedagogy, character and citizenship education (CCE) and support for students with special educational needs.
Institutes of higher learning will also expand efforts in interdisciplinary learning to prepare students for workplaces of the future, said Mr Wong.
“Students can look forward to more broad-based common core curricula and access to electives, as well as new industry-relevant degree programmes that integrate knowledge from different disciplines,” he added.
“We also aim to give students more room to decide on their academic specialisations by introducing more common entry programmes in the polytechnics and giving university students more time to declare their major.”
REIMAGINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
The disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have “opened up new opportunities to reimagine teaching and learning”, said Mr Wong.
The Education Ministry plans to make “blended learning” an integral feature of the curriculum next year, building on its experience with home-based learning, he said.
As announced in June, all secondary school students will get a personal laptop or tablet for learning by end-2021, said Mr Wong. This is seven years ahead of the original target of 2028.
File photo of students. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
A refreshed CCE curriculum will also be progressively rolled out in all schools, to give “added focus” to mental health and cyber wellness education, he said.
“In secondary schools, teachers will engage students in regular discussions on contemporary issues and equip them with critical thinking skills to navigate such issues.”
OPENING UP MULTIPLE PATHWAYS
In addition, the Education Ministry “will cater to the diverse strengths and aptitudes of students” through multiple pathways in the education system, Mr Wong said.
“We want to embrace a wider spectrum of skills and talents, and not just focus narrowly on academic achievements,” he added, noting that the Primary School Leaving Examination would have wider scoring bands from 2021.
Streaming will also be phased out and full subject-based banding will be implemented across secondary schools by 2024.
“This will offer students more opportunities to pursue subjects at a level suited to their strengths and interests,” said Mr Wong.
Post-secondary progression pathways will also be expanded for students with different aptitudes and skills, he added.
By 2030, all Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates will have “a range opportunities” to upgrade beyond a Nitec over their careers, according to their interests and learning needs, said Mr Wong.
The Education Ministry will continue to increase the number of places for ITE’s work-study diplomas and full-time Higher Nitec programmes, he added.
The number of places for working adults in full-time polytechnic diploma programmes will also be increased, and the adoption of aptitude-based admissions will be further expanded across the six autonomous universities.
AN EFFECTIVE SOCIAL LEVELLER
Education “remains the best way” to sustain and strengthen social mobility, said Mr Wong.
“We will ensure education remains an effective social leveller, by giving every child access to quality education and multiple pathways throughout life to pursue their aspirations.”
With COVID-19’s “disproportionate impact on the disadvantaged”, the Education Ministry is redoubling its efforts “to make sure no child is left behind”.
Adding that every child will be given a good start in life regardless of their background, Mr Wong noted that by 2025, the Education Ministry will operate at least 60 MOE kindergartens.
“We will also deepen support for students with special needs – by strengthening educators’ professional competencies in both mainstream and Special Education (SPED) schools, as well as opening new SPED schools and upgrading current ones.”
Through the Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT), MOE also plans to “deepen school-community partnerships” to support vulnerable students and engage their families, said Mr Wong.
He also noted that Singaporeans will benefit from the recently enhanced MOE Financial Assistance Scheme and Government bursaries for students in institutes of higher learning.
Former Education Minister Ong Ye Kung had said in August last year that about 55,000 undergraduate and diploma students will benefit from the enhanced bursary scheme.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat also announced in February increased bursaries for low- and middle-income students, as well as bursaries for full-time ITE students.
“We will create fresh opportunities for students of different backgrounds to interact and build bonds with one another,” said Mr Wong, adding that students from different schools will come together for inter-school activities like combined team co-curricular activities and the MOE-Outward Bound Singapore Challenge Programme.
“At the same time, we will continue to support all students holistically. We strive to foster the joy of learning in our students, so that Singaporeans are equipped not just with knowledge and skills, but also with the spark to pursue their passion and fulfil their potential.”
SINGAPORE – There were 31 new coronavirus cases confirmed as of Tuesday noon (Aug 25), taking Singapore’s total to 56,435.
There were no community cases, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday. The last time there were no cases in the community was last Thursday.
Among Tuesday’s new cases was one imported patient who had been placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.
More details will be announced on Tuesday night.
On Monday, MOH announced 51 new coronavirus cases.
They included one community case, a 65-year-old Singaporean woman. She was identified as a contact of a previously confirmed case and was tested when she was quarantined earlier.
There were also seven imported cases, comprising one permanent resident, two work permit holders, three dependant’s pass holders and one long-term visit pass holder. All of them had been placed on stay-home notices when they arrived here.
Three of the imported cases were boys, aged two to three, who had returned from India. They tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday and Sunday.
Can the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) uniform be worn casually as a jacket or fashion statement?
Definitely not, if we’re going by the Decorations and Uniforms Act. Anyone caught for the unauthorised use of any part of the naval, military, air or police force uniforms — including badges and medals — can be convicted in the Magistrate’s Court. Guilty parties can be fined up to $400 or jailed up to three months.
Being a legendary graffiti artist, Leonard Hilton McGurr aka Futura isn’t exactly known for being a stickler for rules. The 64-year-old New York native donned familiar military fatigues in a picture posted by streetwear publication Highsnobiety.
Posted on the Highsnobiety Instagram page last Friday, the street artist can be seen holding up a peace sign while wearing the SAF No. 4 top, complete with his name stitched on. He’s no stranger to the fashion scene either, thanks to several high-profile collaborations with COMME des GARÇONS, Supreme, Off-White, Nike, Uniqlo and many more.
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