As nations around the world work to battle the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, Singapore is not messing around: don’t even think about lying about where you have been. If you do, you face jail time and a hefty fine.
With an extended incubation period, authorities have had to get creative in the way they trace back the steps of those who are inflicted with the virus. CCTV, credit card, and ATM records are helpful, but honesty helps most.
A Chinese couple, who lied to Singaporean authorities about their travels while under coronavirus watch, serve as a dire warning. each face up to six months in prison and a fine equivalent to $7,000 USD. They lied and surveillance footage quickly demonstrated their untruthfulness.
A Singapore Health Ministry spokesperson told Business Insider:
“Contact tracing teams have been working round the clock for more than 13 hours a day, tracing back the steps of anyone who’s contracted the novel coronavirus.”
And for good reason. Coronavirus is most easily spread by person to person contact via respiratory droplets. That’s why masks are helpful IF YOU ARE SICK (as well as keeping your distance from others).
Honesty Is The Best Policy
If you are traveling to Singapore or via Singapore, you will be screened by health officials and may face an extended interview. Be honest. If you are asked if you have been to Japan or Germany, the answer is YES even if you just transited through. If you are feeling sick, don’t try to hide it, because thousands of CCTVs are watching.
Singapore is not the only country with such strict requirements, but is a prime example of a model that is working very hard to contain the spread of virus.
CONCLUSION
Singapore, the efficiently-run city-state of 5,600,000 people, is not the place to mess around. The country that executes you for trying to smuggle drugs in and arrests those who use airport lounges without intending to fly is also not messing around with coronavirus.
“Pompeo says USA not prepared because china lied.”
Not only are these people incompetent, they are also big whiners. The myth of the competent white male is being blown to pieces. Next election cycle vote for a woman, vote for an educated data driven person.
I like your blog. Way too many times siding with Law enforcement. I can do without that slant.
“if you are traveling to singapore via singapore” what?
Proofreading isn’t Matthew’s strong suit.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/03/06/the-us-has-the-worlds-highest-coronavirus-death-rate-at-more-than-5-a-number-that-reflects-the-countrys-lack-of-testing/23941708
^ do you guys believe this. One month lead tine and the blonde chimpanzee and his minions couldn’t get the kits ready or have any effective policy measures. So when do we start calling it negligent homicide and start putting these Republican assholes on trial?
And the nimroot is looking for a handout for his hotels, masked as bailout for travel industry. Why is there a bailout? Capitalist republicans doing socialism for self.
As far as the hotel part, look at what Singapore (and many other countries) are doing to try to prop up the tourism dollars. Nothing different…
Even if they did go on trial we all know what the verdict will be.
Chinese couple lied. Lol. Maybe they’re on a mission to spread it? Lol
“Efficiently run”?! That’s a “novel” euphemism for “police state.”
Ever lived in Singapore?
Singapore does not tolerate slobs who litter (i.e. throwing cigarette butts out of a car onto the street), as well as not flushing a public toilet). It fines such offenders well over $1,000 for such inconsiderate, unsanitary acts. Also, it doesn’t put up with petty vandalism, either. Over twenty years ago, the Singapore authorities caught an American who was defacing automobiles, and causing damage to them. In addition to jailing him, he was whipped, and deported.