COVID-19: Timeline of Major Events in Singapore (2020)

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This entry serves as a complete timeline tracking the major developments of the COVID-19 situation in Singapore. It documents official government announcements, responses from local businesses and the Singapore public, alongside the dates of certain landmark cases on the island.

January

The COVID-19 virus is said to have spread from Huanan Seafood Market (pictured) in Wuhan City. Photo from Yi Cai Global.

Summary

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), China reported 44 cases of patients afflicted with a "mystery virus" (later confirmed as COVID-19) on 3 January 2020.[1] 20 days later, Singapore reported its first imported COVID-19 case followed by the first confirmed Singaporean infected with the virus. January also saw government activation of quarantine facilities, the release of health advisories and stricter measures for travellers coming into Singapore.

Detailed timeline

  • January 2
    • The Ministry of Health (MOH) was alerted to the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Medical practitioners told to look out of suspected cases of acute respiratory illness or pneumonia in patients.[2]
  • January 3
    • Temperature screening implemented in Changi Airport for people travelling from Wuhan.[3]
  • January 4
  • January 5
    • First suspected case tested negative for COVID-19.[6]
  • January 20
    • MOH sets in place additional precautionary measures for those travelling from China.[7]
    • Isolation made compulsory for those with pneumonia and travel history from Wuhan City.[8]
  • January 22
    • MOH advises against non-essential travel to Wuhan City.[9]
    • Temperature screenings made compulsory for all inbound travellers from China.[10]
    • The Multi-Ministry task force, co-chaired by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong was set up.[11]
  • January 23
    • Singapore reported its first imported case of COVID-19. Close contact tracing commenced and respective individuals were quarantined.[12]
    • The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSD) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) released health advisory guidelines to preschools.[13]
    • All inbound flights from Wuhan City were cancelled.[14]
  • January 24
    On 24 January, Channel News Asia reported depleted stocks for surgical masks islandwide. Photo from Channel News Asia.
    • Heritage Chalets, SAF Changi Chalets and HomeTeamNS Sembawang Chalets were delegated as Government Quarantine Facilities (GQF).[15]
    • N95 and surgical masks sold out in several shops nationwide. Long queues were spotted around the country.[16]
  • January 27
    • Student hostels in National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) were delegated as Government Quarantine Facilities (GQF).[17]
    • Gov.sg launched a COVID-19 subscription service on Whatsapp where individuals can be alerted on official news and updates.[18]
  • January 28
    • All travellers from Hubei province, China in Singapore were required to be quarantined.[19]
    • Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) camps on Pulau Ubin were delegated as Government Quarantine Facilities.[20]
    • The National Environment Agency (NEA) released a sanitation and hygiene advisory for public transport operators.[21]
  • January 30
    On 30 January, the first batch of evacuated Singaporeans was brought home on Scoot flight TR121. Photo From MustShare News.
    • 92 Singaporeans land in Singapore at 11.40 am after being evacuated from Wuhan.[22]
    • Government officials announced a crackdown on those re-selling masks for exorbitant prices.[23]
  • January 31
    • Singapore reports its first infected Singaporean (Case 15).[24] The patient was one of the passengers who had been evacuated from Wuhan.
    • The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) suspended the issue of all new visas to PRC passport holders. Previously issued short-term and multiple-visit visas for PRC passport holders had also been suspended.[25]
    • All Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and long-term-pass holders, as well as work pass holders returning from mainland China, are required to serve a mandatory 14-day Leave of Absence (LOA).[26]
    • The Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (singCERT) issued an alert for a malware called Emotet circulating on the internet as dubious email attachments or link messages about the COVID-19 virus.[27]

February

Summary

Singapore reported its first local COVID-19 clusters in February 2020. The Singapore government also raised the DORSCON level to Orange on 7 February 2020. This announcement prompted reactions from Singaporeans and local businesses alike. February also saw increased neighbourliness and community efforts to support front-line healthcare workers.

Detailed timeline

  • February 1
    • All Chinese visitors and foreign travellers with 14 days of travel history to China are to be denied transit or entry into Singapore.[28]
    • Starting from 1 February until 29 February, Singaporeans are entitled to 4 free surgical masks per household.[29]
  • February 3
    The first locally infected COVID-19 case was a worker at Yong Thai Hang Medical Hall (pictured). Photo from Channel News Asia.
  • February 6
    In Singapore, residents of certain estates have taken it upon themselves to practice neighbourliness. Photo from Channel News Asia.
    • Channel News Asia (CNA) reports “Kampung Spirit” in Punggol West following sightings of hand sanitisers and masks provided by residents for residents in public spaces.[31]
  • February 7
    On 7 February, Singaporeans rushed to supermarkets upon hearing the news of the DORSCON Orange alert. Photo from MustShare News.
    • Singapore raises DORSCON level to Orange after 3 local clusters were reported (Yong Thai Hang, Grand Hyatt Singapore, The Life Church and Missions Singapore).
    • MOH advises businesses to formulate and carry out their business continuity plans in preparation for a widespread community infection.[32]
    • MustShare News (MS News) reports widespread panic as Singaporeans empty supermarket shelves.[33]
  • February 8
    • Teck Ghee Parkview residents make home-made hand sanitisers for community use.[34]
    • Following the news of phone scammers leveraging on the COVID-19 situation, MOH clarifies that they do not ask for financial details during contact tracing.[35]
  • February 9
    • The second batch of evacuated Singaporeans from Wuhan City lands in Singapore at around 8:30 am.[36]
  • February 10
    • 200 police officers deployed to Government Quarantine Facilities (GQF) to maintain law and order.[37]
    • Prank video from the Instagram story captioned “how to spread Wuhan” goes viral.[38]
    • Innotrek and FutuReady Asia distribute free bottles of hand sanitiser and face masks to senior citizens in Fengshan, Macpherson and Yishun.[39]
    • E-learning commences for more than 50 National University of Singapore (NUS) students.[40]
    • SIM and SUSS implement temperature screening procedures in response to DORSCON Orange. Those without an “I’m Ok” sticker will be refused entry into class.
  • February 11
    • The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially names the novel coronavirus “COVID-19”.[41]
    • MOH announces that there will be a joint working group between ministers and senior health professionals in Singapore and Malaysia to tackle the COVID-19 spread.[42]
  • February 12
    • The Singapore government announces that they will bear the hospitalisation costs for all infected individuals who are admitted into public hospitals.[43]
    • The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS) launches the Sayang Sayang Fund - providing support to front-line healthcare workers.[44]
    • Mapletree delivers 400 bento boxes to the hospital staff at National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and NUH.[45]
  • February 13
    • The first batch of Singaporeans who were evacuated on January 30 return home after their 14-day quarantine order.[46]
  • February 14
    On 14 February, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong penned a Valentine's Day message to Singapore's healthcare workers. Photo from Facebook.
    • Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong announces that COVID-19 is more similar to H1N1 than SARS.[47]
    • Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announces that declaration is required for anyone importing surgical masks, thermometers and protective gear.[48]
    • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong writes a Valentines’ Day message addressed to medical professionals in Singapore, thanking them for their efforts.[49] The message reads:
"To all our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, thank you for looking after your patriots day after day, especially during this Covid-19 outbreak. Your loving care and commitment makes all the difference. We all stand with you, and give you our full support. Happy Valentine's Day! Lee Hsien Loong."
  • February 16
    • Singapore launches an “SG Clean” hygiene campaign for hawker stalls.[50]
  • February 17
    • MOH announces a new Stay-Home Notice (SHN) for Singapore residents and long term pass holders returning from mainland China. SHN will replace the existing LOA arrangement.[51]
    • Rumah Makan Minang, Positano Risto and Deng Dengduo deliver food to the medical staff at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).[52]
    • Far East Organisation announces that it will deliver food to the medical staff at National University Hospital (NUH) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) from 24 to 28 February 2020.
    • The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and Singapore Press Holdings’ (SPH) Chinese Media Group (CMG) donate over S$1.1 million and S$188,000 respectively to the Singapore Red Cross. These donations will benefit the affected communities in China.[53]
    • Facebook blocks public access to the State Times Review’s Facebook page after their repeated false statements about COVID-19.[54]
  • February 18
    • Singapore Airlines (SIA) announces that it plans to cut flights globally until May 2020.[55]
    • Progressive activation of 900 Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC) starts. Clinics to serve as pre-emptive support for COVID-19 treatment and investigation.[56]
    • OCBC announces that it will be providing bottled bird’s nest drinks, Gong Cha bubble tea and a variety of snacks to the medical staff at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).[57]
    • Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announces that Singapore will spend over S$4 billion on financial packages to help groups and sectors recover from the economic instability caused by COVID-19.[58]

References

  1. ↑ “Pneumonia of Unknown Cause – China”. World Health Organization. January 05, 2020. Accessed 9 January 2020.
  2. ↑ “PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO SEVERE PNEUMONIA CASES IN WUHAN, CHINA”. Ministry of Health. January 2, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  3. ↑ “PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO SEVERE PNEUMONIA CASES IN WUHAN, CHINA”. Ministry of Health. January 2, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  4. ↑ “UPDATE ON LOCAL SITUATION REGARDING SEVERE PNEUMONIA CLUSTER IN WUHAN”. Ministry of Health. January 4, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "Wuhan pneumonia: First suspected case reported in Singapore". The Straits Times. January 4, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  6. ↑ “UPDATE ON LOCAL SITUATION REGARDING SEVERE PNEUMONIA CLUSTER IN WUHAN”. Ministry of Health. January 5, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  7. ↑ “MOH STEPS UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO INCREASE IN CASES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PNEUMONIA IN WUHAN”. Ministry of Health. January 20, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  8. ↑ “MOH STEPS UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO INCREASE IN CASES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PNEUMONIA IN WUHAN”. Ministry of Health. January 20, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  9. ↑ “MOH ISSUES PUBLIC HEALTH TRAVEL ADVISORY IN RESPONSE TO CASES OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IN CHINA”. Ministry of Health. January 22, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  10. ↑ “ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PNEUMONIA IN CHINA”. Ministry of Health. January 21, 2020. Accessed 14 February 2020.
  11. ↑ “CONFIRMED IMPORTED CASE OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN SINGAPORE; MULTI-MINISTRY TASKFORCE RAMPS UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES”. Ministry of Health. January 23, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  12. ↑ “CONFIRMED IMPORTED CASE OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN SINGAPORE; MULTI-MINISTRY TASKFORCE RAMPS UP PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES”. Ministry of Health. January 23, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  13. ↑ Jalelah Abu Baker. “Singapore forms Wuhan virus ministerial task force, imported case 'inevitable': Gan Kim Yong”. Channel News Asia. January 22, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  14. ↑ “How is Singapore limiting the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019?” Gov.sg. January 29, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  15. ↑ Toh, Ting Wei. “Wuhan virus: Quarantine centres, including chalets, being prepared as Singapore fights spread of disease”. The Straits Times. January 24, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  16. ↑ Jalelah Abu Baker. "Singapore N95, surgical masks run out at retail outlets; MOH assures public there is enough stock". Channel News Asia. January 24, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  17. ↑ Aqil Hazip Mahmud. “NUS, NTU, SMU hostels to be used as quarantine facilities for Wuhan virus”. Channel News Asia. January 27, 2020.  Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  18. ↑ Teh, Joe. “HOW TO GET UPDATES ABOUT WUHAN VIRUS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT FAKE NEWS”. techielobang. January 27, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  19. ↑ “ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE RISK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD IN SINGAPORE”. Ministry of Health. January 28, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  20. ↑ Cheow, Sue-Ann. “OBS camps to be used as quarantine facilities”. The New Paper. January 30, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  21. ↑ “Sanitation and Hygiene Advisory for Transport Operators”. NEA. January 28, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  22. ↑ “Wuhan virus: 92 Singaporeans flown home from Wuhan; some remain in the city as they are symptomatic”. Channel News Asia. January 30, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  23. ↑ Tay, Tiffany Fumiko.“Coronavirus: Govt cracks down on mask profiteers, retailer Deen Express queried on alleged inflated prices”. The Straits Times. January 30, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  24. ↑ “THREE MORE CONFIRMED IMPORTED CASES OF WUHAN CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN SINGAPORE”. Ministry of Health. January 31, 2020. Accessed on 10 February 2020.
  25. ↑ “EXTENSION OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE RISK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD IN SINGAPORE”. Ministry of Health. January 31, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  26. ↑ “Leave of Absence Support Programme (LOASP)”. Ministry of Manpower. February 12, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  27. ↑ “Malicious Cyber Activities Leveraging COVID-19 Situation”. SingCERT. January 31, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  28. ↑ “Singapore bans all China travellers”. Reuters. January 31, 2020. Accessed on 14 February. Retrieved from New Straits Times.
  29. ↑ Goh, Timothy and Salma Khalik. "Wuhan virus: Each Singapore household to get 4 free masks for contingencies". The Straits Times. January 31, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  30. ↑ “CONFIRMED CASES OF LOCAL TRANSMISSION OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS INFECTION IN SINGAPORE”. Ministry of Health. February 4, 2020. Accessed on 10 February 2020.
  31. ↑ Cheng, Ian and Matthew Mohan. "'The kampung spirit is still alive': Punggol residents step up amid coronavirus outbreak". Channel News Asia. February 6, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  32. ↑ “NEWS HIGHLIGHTS”. Ministry of Health. February 7, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  33. ↑ Yeap, Amanda. "S’poreans Are Wiping Out Basic Supplies From Supermarkets In Panic After DORSCON Orange Alert". MustShare News. February 7, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  34. ↑ Toh Wen Li. “Coronavirus: S'poreans step up to make hand sanitiser for the community amid outbreak”. The Straits Times. February 11, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  35. ↑ Ministry of Health. “Scammers impersonating MOH contact tracing officials”. Facebook. February 8, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  36. ↑ Tan, Audrey. “Second flight to evacuate S'poreans in Wuhan returns". The Straits Times. February 10, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  37. ↑ Yuen Sin. “Coronavirus: About 200 police officers deployed to government quarantine facilities, says Shanmugam”. The Straits Times. February 10, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  38. ↑ Asyraf Kamil. “Police seek information on video of youth taking a swig from supermarket drink, then placing it back on shelf”. TODAY. February 10, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  39. ↑ Wong, Cara. “Coronavirus: Two companies giving out face masks and hand sanitisers to 5,000 senior citizens”. The Straits Times. February 10, 2020. Accessed 14 February 2020.
  40. ↑ Ang, Hwee Min. “NUS to implement e-learning for some classes amid coronavirus outbreak”. Channel News Asia. February 9, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  41. ↑ “Novel coronavirus named 'Covid-19': WHO”. The Straits Times.  February 11, 2020. Accessed 14 February 2020.
  42. ↑ “SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA TO ESTABLISH A JOINT WORKING GROUP FOR THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS”. Ministry of Health. February 11, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  43. ↑ Choo, Yun Ting. “Coronavirus: Singapore Government to foot bills of infected patients at public hospitals, except outpatient expenses”. The Straits Times. February 12, 2020. Accessed on 14 February 2020.
  44. ↑ "The Community Foundation of Singapore launches new Sayang Sayang Fund". Community Foundation of Singapore. February 12, 2020. Accessed on 18 February 2020.
  45. ↑ Chew, Hui Min and Hidayah Salamat. “'We intend to stick it out with them': Volunteers write notes, send food to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19”. Channel News Asia. February 13, 2020. Accessed 19 February 2020.
  46. ↑ Toh, Ting Wei. “87 S'poreans evacuated from Wuhan complete their 14-day quarantine”. The Straits Times. February 15, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  47. ↑ Chang, Nicole. “'Clearly emerging' that COVID-19 is different from SARS, more similarities to H1N1: Lawrence Wong”. Channel News Asia. February 14, 2020. Accessed 17 February 2020.
  48. ↑ “Import of Hand Sanitisers, Masks, Thermometers and Protective Gear”. HSA. February 14, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from the Health Sciences Authority.
  49. ↑ Chew, Hui Min and Hidayah Salamat. “'We intend to stick it out with them': Volunteers write notes, send food to healthcare workers fighting COVID-19”. Channel News Asia. February 13, 2020. Accessed 19 February 2020.
  50. ↑ Ang, Jolene. “Food stalls to sport 'SG Clean' mark for hygiene standards”. The Straits Times. February 17, 2020. Accessed 17 February 2020.
  51. ↑ Jalelah Abu Baker and Hidayah Salamt. “COVID-19: New Stay-Home Notice with stricter measures for Singapore residents, long-term pass holders returning from mainland China”. Channel News Asia. February 17, 2020. Accessed 18 February 2020.
  52. ↑ Chong, Clara. “More organisations donating cash and medical supplies”. The Straits Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 18 February 2020.
  53. ↑ Chong, Clara. “More organisations donating cash and medical supplies”. The Straits Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 18 February 2020.
  54. ↑ CNA. “Facebook ordered to disable Singapore users' access to States Times Review page”. YouTube. February 17, 2020. Accessed on 19 February 2020.
  55. ↑ “Singapore Airlines to cut flights as COVID-19 outbreak hits demand”. Channel News Asia. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 18 February 2020.
  56. ↑ “ADDITIONAL PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION”. Ministry of Health. February 14, 2020. Accessed on 17 February 2020.
  57. ↑ “OCBC sends food and drinks to show appreciation to healthcare workers”. Business Times. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 18 February 2020.
  58. ↑ Tang, See Kit. “Budget 2020: S$4 billion support package for workers, firms amid COVID-19 outbreak”. Channel News Asia. February 18, 2020. Accessed on 19 February 2020.
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