Home Quarantine Order comes into effect in Singapore; 3 orders issued
By AMIT ROY CHOUDHURY
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(SINGAPORE) Home Quarantine Orders (HQOs) to combat the H1N1 flu came into effect here yesterday, as the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the number of confirmed cases worldwide stood at 1,003 from 20 countries.
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| Taking precautions: The government and authorities in Mexico City - where most of the fatalities and infections occurred - said yesterday that from tomorrow they would start reopening venues closed last week |
Reuters reported WHO chief Margaret Chan as saying that there is 'no indication that we are facing a situation similar to that in 1918', when a flu pandemic killed tens of millions of people. However, she warned that things could change quickly.
A Singapore Ministry of Health update said that as of 7pm yesterday, three HQOs had been issued. One was issued to a foreign resident and two to Singaporeans.
Under an HQO, a person entering Singapore after having been in Mexico in the preceding seven days will be quarantined for seven days.
A person under an HQO must stay at home throughout the quarantine period, monitor their temperature twice daily and check for flu-like symptoms.
They should minimise contact with family members and practise good personal hygiene. People under an HQO who develop symptoms will be referred to the Communicable Disease Centre for assessment.
Across the region up to yesterday, there was one case of swine flu each in Hong Kong and Korea, and six in New Zealand.
In Hong Kong, the confirmed case is that of a Mexican citizen who travelled there, while in Korea it is that of a Korean national who travelled to Mexico. Both people have been isolated and there has been no reported spread in Korea or Hong Kong to date. However, news reports yesterday said that the Hong Kong authorities were checking three suspected cases.
Seven Singaporeans who stayed at the same Metropark Hotel as the confirmed Hong Kong flu sufferer are in quarantine in Hong Kong. According to the Ministry of Health update, they are doing well.
In Singapore up to yesterday, there were no additional cases under investigation.
The Mexican Ambassador to Singapore, Juan Jose Gomez, objected yesterday to Singapore's decision to impose temporary visa requirements on Mexican passport holders last Thursday as a precautionary measure.
Mr Gomez said that although he 'fully supports' Singapore and every country's decision to ensure people are protected, such a procedure will make it doubly difficult for Mexicans intending to travel to Singapore.
The Mexican embassy has sent a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reconsider the visa requirement measure, Mr Gomez said.
'These are times when we need to cooperate and show solidarity and not to impose measures that tend to isolate,' he said.
Besides Singapore, the only other country that has imposed visa requirements is Japan.
Mr Gomez said that the visa application process takes five to seven days, which together with a week's quarantine that will be imposed on travellers from Mexico, will make travelling to Singapore very inconvenient for Mexican passport holders.
About 400 Mexicans live in Singapore, and many have to travel for work reasons. The visa requirement has resulted in the Mexican community here feeling 'uncomfortable, singled out and confused,' Mr Gomez said.
An AFP report yesterday said that Mexico was preparing to reopen many businesses and tourist sites closed by the A(H1N1) swine flu outbreak after officials said that the virus looks to be under control.
Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said that it appears 'the trend is slowing' for the epidemic, but warned: 'There could be a resurgence, and that could occur in the next few days or even much later.'
Lab tests on hundreds of suspect cases have revealed four more deaths, taking the total to 26. The number of infected people in Mexico since the start of the emergency on April 23 stands at 701, excluding those who have died.
The government and authorities in Mexico City - where most of the fatalities and infections occurred - said yesterday that from tomorrow they would start reopening venues closed last week to prevent contagion.
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