Singapore on Friday (March 13) announced sweeping new measures to contain the import of Covid-19 cases as well as stem the spread in the Republic.

They cover more border restrictions and social distancing measures including limiting the size of gatherings to 250 people.

The measures are:

* Additional travel advisories to Singaporeans against non-essential travel to countries hard hit by the coronavirus.

* From 11.59pm on Sunday (March 15), all new visitors who had been to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry or transit.

* Also from 11.59pm on Sunday, Singaporeans and permanent residents who had been to Italy, France, Spain and Germany within the last 14 days will be issued a stay-home notice (SHN). This means they must stay home at all times for 14 days after returning to Singapore.

* Any visitor who shows signs of symptoms at the checkpoints will also have to serve a 14-day SHN, even if they test negative for Covid-19. This is an extension of an earlier measure where such travellers must undergo a swab test at the checkpoint.

* With immediate effect, Singapore will cease port calls for all cruise vessels.

* All ticketed cultural, sports and entertainment events, with 250 participants or more, must be deferred or cancelled. For events that have already been committed to, organisers must demonstrate that satisfactory precautionary measures have been put in place before they can proceed. 

* Employers should put in place measures to reduce close contact, such as implementing tele-commuting and video-conferencing, staggering work hours and allowing staff to commute at off-peak hours.

* At public venues, measures to reduce close contact could include seats set at least a metre apart at dining venues, while entertainment venues and tourist attractions such as casinos, cinemas, theme parks, museums and galleries could limit the number of visitors at any one time and increase spacing among visitors.

 This article was written by the Strait Times