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Other countries already outright ban all visitors from ebola stricken countries in Africa. S'pore never had a visa requirement from these countries and now want to out in temporary visa, they should just ban them.
SINGAPORE — From Wednesday (Nov 5), temporary visa requirements will be imposed for nationals from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for entry to Singapore, to allow better oversight of entry of nationals from Ebola-hit countries and facilitate contact tracing in case of an imported Ebola case here, said Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min.
In response to questions raised in Parliament today on the Health Ministry’s plans to step up efforts to counter and contain the Ebola virus, which has since spread outside of Africa, Dr Lam noted that while healthcare workers here have been trained on the proper use of personal protective equipment and hospitals are reminded to maintain strict infection control measures, human error can occur, and was what resulted in the secondary transmission to healthcare workers in Spain and the United States.
He said the ministry will continue to work with the National Infection Prevention and Control Committee and other experts to review its protocols and ensure that hospitals here are prepared and competent in managing suspect and confirmed Ebola cases.
Rapid test kids to Ebola have been developed, but none have been approved for use here. The ministry will evaluate the kits’ performance to determine their suitability for use in Singapore’s environment.
In support of the Ebola relief efforts, Singapore has contributed an aid package of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and US$150,000 in cash, to the World Health Organisation.
Dr Lam said that Singapore will continue to work with the WHO on how to further assist in the global effort against the Ebola outbreak, including the possibility of sending one of our experts to assist the WHO headquarters in their relief efforts.
SINGAPORE — From Wednesday (Nov 5), temporary visa requirements will be imposed for nationals from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for entry to Singapore, to allow better oversight of entry of nationals from Ebola-hit countries and facilitate contact tracing in case of an imported Ebola case here, said Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min.
In response to questions raised in Parliament today on the Health Ministry’s plans to step up efforts to counter and contain the Ebola virus, which has since spread outside of Africa, Dr Lam noted that while healthcare workers here have been trained on the proper use of personal protective equipment and hospitals are reminded to maintain strict infection control measures, human error can occur, and was what resulted in the secondary transmission to healthcare workers in Spain and the United States.
He said the ministry will continue to work with the National Infection Prevention and Control Committee and other experts to review its protocols and ensure that hospitals here are prepared and competent in managing suspect and confirmed Ebola cases.
Rapid test kids to Ebola have been developed, but none have been approved for use here. The ministry will evaluate the kits’ performance to determine their suitability for use in Singapore’s environment.
In support of the Ebola relief efforts, Singapore has contributed an aid package of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and US$150,000 in cash, to the World Health Organisation.
Dr Lam said that Singapore will continue to work with the WHO on how to further assist in the global effort against the Ebola outbreak, including the possibility of sending one of our experts to assist the WHO headquarters in their relief efforts.
