Measures taken by some other countries
As of last afternoon, there were 67,088 confirmed cases worldwide, with 66,493 cases in mainland China and 56 in the Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong. The virus has killed 1,524 in China, while there have been only 2 deaths outside China – 1 in the Philippines and 1 in Japan.
The Sunday Times looked at the measures taken by some countries against COVID-19.
Singapore – Having themost number of confirmed cases, 67, outside China, the country's open borders and inter-connectedness as well as its proactive approach to testing had reportedly got these high numbers in record time.
Singapore raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition level to orange which meant the disease is quite severe but contained, with officials having to exercise precautionary measures to the fullest. The last time an orange alert went out during the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in 2009.
Dozens of thermal scanners dot the terminals of Changi Airport, taking the temperature of passengers as they enter or exit Singapore. The airport staff also looks out for any ill travellers.
After the first confirmed case of the new virus, all parents were asked to declare their Chinese New Year travel plans, while being issued instructions on personal hygiene. School trips have been minimized and ill students are being monitored.
India – With three confirmed cases of the virus in Kerala, all existing visas, including eVisas issued to mainland China nationals and other nationalities who have been residing in China before February 5 have been invalidated.
People who have been in mainland China after January 15 are not allowed to enter India with any visa by air, sea or land.
All passengers travelling to India from China, Thailand, Singapore and other neighbouring countries are being monitored and special screening carried out. They are expected to fill a ‘self-reporting form’ at the airport.
A few Indian airlines have reduced or stopped flying to China.
Seven Maldivians and 647 Indians who were evacuated from Wuhan are at two quarantine centres in New Delhi.
Maldives – Withno reported cases, the country banned all travellers except Maldivians arriving from China from February 3.
Malaysia – There are 19 confirmed cases of whom 13 are Chinese and 6 Malaysians. Three have been discharged from hospital after recovery.
Travel restrictions have been placed on all visitors from China’s Hubei, Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces, while the number of thermal scanners at entry points to the country has been increased.
Laboratories also speeded up investigation and detection of samples from suspected patients. Testing facilities were also expanded in state and private laboratories.