Bondi Beach crowds prompt outrage and closure
Two people have died in Singapore after contracting the novel coronavirus — the first fatalities in the city-state related to the global pandemic since the virus first emerged there weeks ago.
The victims were a 75-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man, according to the Singapore Ministry of Health. They both died in a local hospital.
The woman, a Singapore citizen, contracted the virus on February 23. She had chronic heart disease and a history of hypertension.
The man, an Indonesian national, also had a history of heart disease. He was infected on March 14.
Gatherings canceled: Gatherings of 250 or more people have been banned in Singapore until the end of June to stop the virus from spreading, the Health Ministry announced Friday.
For events with less than 250 participants, organizers are required to keep people at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) apart, according to the report.
Restaurants and entertainment venues can remain open, but a distance of at least 1 meter must be maintained between tables and between seats.
The government also urged employers to introduce measures to reduce close physical interactions between employees and facilitate telecommuting when possible.
It also placed a heavy emphasis on personal responsibility, saying:
Social responsibility is a critical factor in slowing the transmission of the virus. We need all Singaporeans to play their part in the fight against COVID-19. Singaporeans should therefore uphold these safe distancing principles for their own private get-togethers, even if these are being carried out in smaller groups. This means reducing the frequency of such activities, and minimizing physical contact with one another. Those who are unwell, even with mild flu-like symptoms, should see a doctor and stay at home to prevent spreading illness to others. We must all do our part to protect ourselves, our family and friends, and the people around us.
